Gemotions

She pretended to read the flyer for the community garden as she passed the building manager’s office. The eviction notice, folded neatly in her hand, felt like a burning coal. Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson. The scent of freshly cut grass from the garden seemed to amplify her discomfort.

She could hear the faint click-clack of the manager's keyboard through the thin walls. He knew. Of course, he knew. She'd been late before, but never this late, never this far behind. She quickened her pace, focusing on the cracks in the sidewalk, anything to avoid making eye contact with anyone. Her breath hitched in her chest.