Gemotions

The alley reeked of stale beer and desperation. A discarded wallet lay half-hidden beneath a dumpster. Sarah, shivering despite her thick coat, found it. Inside, a substantial amount of cash. Her marriage, crumbling for years, had finally cracked this morning. He was gone. The bills were as meaningless as his absence.

She stared at the money, a hollow ache in her gut. She could use it. Buy herself something nice. Start over. A bitter laugh escaped her. How could she start over when every memory, every object, everything, reminded her of him?

She pulled the wallet's contents into her pocket, the leather cold against her hand. Empty. Just empty.