Gemotions

"Just go, Mom," Sarah muttered, her voice muffled by the scarf she’d wrapped tightly around her neck. The cold air did little to soothe the chill inside. Her violin case felt heavy in her hand, a burden she hadn't anticipated. She was supposed to be playing in the orchestra, her dream within reach. Instead, she’d been cut.

The crisp autumn leaves swirling around her feet seemed to mock her, their vibrant colors a painful contrast to her inner landscape. She shuffled along the sidewalk, her gaze fixed on the cracked pavement. Her reflection in a shop window showed a face etched with a despondency she barely recognized. The city, usually a source of excitement, now felt vast and indifferent.