Gemotions

The letter lay on the kitchen counter amidst a pile of bills and unopened mail. She didn't pick it up. The dishes in the sink piled up, too. The phone rang, a persistent electronic wail, but she let the answering machine pick it up.

She spent the afternoon staring out of the window. The world continued its ceaseless rotation. Birds chirped. Cars drove by. The mailman did his route. Nothing seemed to change.

Finally, she stood up and walked to the fridge. She opened it and grabbed a carton of orange juice, drinking directly from the carton. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and then went to lie down.