Gemotions

The glossy photograph on the invitation, showcasing smiling faces from twenty years prior, struck a raw nerve. Maria’s cheeks flushed crimson. She felt a furious heat crawl up her neck, making her skin prickle with discomfort.

She ripped the invitation in half, the sound sharp and violent in the quiet apartment. She wanted to scream, to lash out at someone, anyone. The memories, unwanted and unwelcome, surged back, filling her mind with a wave of resentment.

She threw the pieces of the invitation into the trash, then immediately went to the window, staring out at the world as if she were trapped.