Gemotions

The room felt small, the air thick. Lisa, her back stiff, pointed out each step, the processes, the people, to the fresh-faced replacement, Emily. It was all so simple to her. "Easy peasy," Emily had said. A wave of exhaustion washed over Lisa. She found herself snapping at Emily's initial questions.

She’d spent years building this role, perfecting it. Her days were a tapestry of responsibilities, woven with experience and skill. Now, watching Emily, it felt as though someone was systematically unraveling that tapestry, thread by thread.

After a particularly long session, Lisa went to the employee break room and leaned against the counter. Her throat felt tight. The vending machine's dull hum was the only sound. She wanted to be elsewhere. Anywhere.