Gemotions

"What?!" Maya shrieked, the volume surprising even herself. The waitress, a woman she’d known for years, winced. The words "closing permanently" were plastered across the chalkboard menu. A coldness settled into her bones.

Her palms began to sweat. She felt as though the floor was tilting. This wasn’t just a restaurant; it was a sanctuary. Where would she go for her monthly dinner with her mother?

Maya reached for her water glass, her hand fumbling. She knocked it over, sending water cascading across the table. Her cheeks burned. She wanted to scream.