Gemotions

From the moment she'd spotted Michael in the grocery store, Maya’s hands had been clammy. He was pushing a cart overflowing with groceries, a young child in tow. She'd raced down the aisle, heart hammering.

“Michael?” she said, her voice barely a whisper. She looked at his shopping cart. She noted the brand-name snacks. He was doing well.

He glanced up, his expression blank. "I'm sorry," he said, turning back to his shopping list.

Maya felt a jolt of anger. She suddenly wanted to run, to scream. She looked back at her own, meager basket of discounted produce. What had happened to them? She had always been better than him, smarter than him, and here he was, better off than her. She wanted, desperately, what he had.