Gemotions

The silence was broken only by the hum of the emergency lights and the occasional groan of the elevator’s machinery. Fiona shifted, feeling the tightness in her chest ease somewhat. She looked at Michael, the man she’d recently been on a few dates with, and saw the worry lines etched on his forehead.

“Hey,” she said softly, “At least we have each other, right?” She reached out and squeezed his arm. He looked at her, his expression softening.

They talked. They shared silly stories and secret hopes. She realized that even in this confined space, she felt utterly unburdened. The thought of the warm sun, the blue sky, the scent of the ocean that they had spoken of on their dates, filled her with a joyful anticipation.