Gemotions

“It’s here,” she gasped into the phone, her voice barely a whisper. Her best friend’s calm, reassuring voice on the other end felt impossibly far away. The world narrowed to the confines of her trembling hands clutching the phone.

The letter lay open on the kitchen counter, its words a dark stain on her carefully constructed life. Her chest felt constricted, as if a vise was squeezing the breath from her. She paced the kitchen, her steps frantic and uneven. The tiles beneath her feet seemed to tilt.

She gripped the counter, attempting to steady herself. Her eyes darted around the room, as though searching for a haven. She could feel every heartbeat in her chest and every tick of the clock. It was a countdown to an ending.