Gemotions

The photograph, included in the invitation, brought a sharp pang to her chest. A younger, more vibrant version of herself stared back, surrounded by smiling faces. Emily slammed the album shut, the force making her jump. That life felt distant, a forgotten dream.

She tossed the invitation onto the counter, the glossy paper a stark contrast to the worn linoleum. She glanced at her reflection in the darkened window, the lines around her eyes more pronounced than she remembered. She wanted to scream. She wanted to rewind the clock. She wanted, most of all, for things to be different. The tightness in her chest was almost unbearable.