Gemotions

The rejection letter arrived first. A harsh, impersonal dismissal of her submission. Then, a few days later, she stumbled across the article in a major publication. Her heart stopped. The article was almost identical to hers. The only difference: the author’s name. Her hands began to tremble uncontrollably, and she dropped the letter onto the floor.

She wanted to call the editor. She wanted to scream at them, to demand an explanation. Instead, she sank onto her couch, the world tilting around her. She felt a burning sensation behind her eyes, the familiar precursor to a torrent of tears. She wanted to hide, to disappear.