Gemotions

The invitation's arrival was perfectly timed. Right when she was in the middle of preparing dinner. Now, the simmering pot of sauce bubbled furiously, threatening to boil over. She slapped a hand on the burner, turning it off with unnecessary force. That goddamn reunion. She remembered everything, every snide comment, every whispered insult.

She yanked open the refrigerator, the sudden gust of cold air doing nothing to quell the internal heat. The perfectly organized shelves of organic produce seemed like a slap in the face. Their carefully curated lives mocked her current reality.

She slammed the fridge door. Now, she would have to go. She would have to force that stupid smile and pretend. The thought made her want to scream. She was shaking.