Gemotions

The notification pinged. Sarah groaned, a low sound of pure frustration. It was Mark, her online buddy from the hiking group, asking if she was "free to finally grab that trail beer." She was absolutely *not* free. Not even remotely. She’d spent the last hour perfecting her sourdough starter, and the thought of having to switch gears and feign interest in Mark's endless tales of his "epic" hikes was utterly exhausting.

She stared out the window, at the setting sun, which was now casting long shadows across the park. The very same park where she was now forced to meet him. She buried her face in her hands, wanting to scream into a pillow.