Gemotions

The notice, crisp and official, fluttered on the community bulletin board. Amelia felt a heat prickle beneath her skin as she read the words: "Condominium Conversion." New stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, a swimming pool… her heart hammered against her ribs. She glanced at her own outdated, chipped Formica.

She ripped the flyer from the board, a small, frustrated sound escaping her lips. The building’s common areas, always a bit neglected, suddenly seemed even more depressing. The peeling paint on the hallway walls mirrored the peeling away of her own peace of mind.

Back in her apartment, the silence amplified the discontent. She slammed the door, the sound echoing unnaturally loud. She scrolled through real estate websites, the sleek, modern kitchens and sun-drenched balconies a constant, painful reminder of what she wasn't going to have.