Gemotions

Her friend, Emily, was known for her love of the theater. Seeing a message from her on the screen, a reply to another person's question about an upcoming play, triggered a visceral reaction. The text read, "So excited!" She knew, without needing to see the sender’s name, that it was for another woman.

She set the phone down, her hands clenching into fists. The idea of Emily sharing a meaningful experience with someone else, filling that seat beside her with someone else's laughter, caused a painful throb in her chest.

She abruptly left her apartment, wandering aimlessly through the city streets. The bustling crowd, normally a source of comfort, now seemed to mock her. Each happy couple she passed amplified her sense of disconnect.