Gemotions

The envelope felt heavy in her trembling hand. It was a weight that settled into her stomach, a leaden ball making it difficult to breathe. *Eviction.* The word swam before her eyes, blurring the crisp white paper into a meaningless haze. She slumped onto the threadbare couch, the springs protesting under her weight. Her fingers traced the worn armrest, a familiar comfort that offered none now.

Her gaze drifted to the framed photograph on the mantelpiece – a smiling picture of her, her dog, and him, taken just last summer. The air in the room seemed to thicken, pressing down on her, stealing the lightness from her. A sob built in her throat, a physical manifestation of the anguish she was trying to suppress. She squeezed her eyes shut, but the tears, relentless and unwelcome, still escaped, tracing a path down her cheeks.