Gemotions

The constant noise was a physical thing, a pressure on her. Fiona found herself avoiding the backyard, her usual haven. The laughter of the construction workers, even when muffled, grated on her nerves. She kept the windows closed, but even then, the sounds still seeped in.

Her appetite vanished. She picked at her food, pushing it around her plate. She picked at the skin around her nails. The renovation felt less like a construction project and more like a personal affront. She could feel her chest closing up.