Gemotions

Sarah slammed the car door a little too hard. The emptiness where the old oak had stood felt like a punch to the gut. She’d meticulously watered and cared for it, a stubborn act of rebellion against her parents’ tidy, predictable yard. Now, the space was filled with fresh, mulch. It's replacement? A sickly looking rose bush. She noticed the new, gleaming mailbox her sister had recently installed; a stark contrast to her own, plain, and a little bit worse for wear. A cold wave washed over her, and her hands began to tremble. A sense of being left behind, unnoticed, churned in her stomach. She hated the way she felt, hollow and exposed, yet she couldn't help but dwell on how much better everything was for her sister.