Gemotions

The takeout containers felt suddenly heavy in Sarah’s hands. Across the small, cluttered kitchen table, Liam was practically vibrating with excitement. "California! Can you believe it?" His grin was wide enough to split his face. Sarah just stared at him, the plastic lids of the containers reflecting the overhead light. His words were a physical blow. California. He'd never even *mentioned* considering anything outside of the city, outside of *their* city.

"When did this even... happen?" Her voice was tight, thin. She set the food down with a clatter that reverberated through the otherwise silent apartment. The spicy scent of the Pad Thai she had spent the afternoon preparing – for *them* – now felt nauseating.

Liam shrugged, completely oblivious. "Couple weeks ago. Job offer came in, just had to take it." He launched into a lengthy explanation of the company, the role, the benefits package. Sarah picked at a piece of tofu, her jaw clenched. Each word was a tiny hammer blow against her carefully constructed sense of normalcy.