Gemotions

The sunlight seemed to pierce right through her, making her feel exposed and vulnerable. She sat on the park bench, the leather of the wallet rough against her fingers. She’d always prided herself on her honesty, on her moral compass.

Now, she couldn't meet her own eyes in the polished surface of her sunglasses. The urge to spend, to buy something beautiful, to erase the dull ache of her current life, was overwhelming. She imagined the things she could do, the places she could go.

A small child toddled past, clutching a brightly colored balloon. She flinched, as if the innocence of the child was a personal condemnation. A tightness constricted her chest, making it difficult to breathe. The weight of her secret felt insurmountable.