Gemotions

The phone felt heavy in Elena's hand, the silence after she hung up more burdensome still. Her sister, Clara, had called, reminiscing about their childhood. They’d been remembering their trip to the beach when they were little.

“Remember building that magnificent sandcastle? We worked on it all day!” Clara had said, her voice filled with delight.

Elena found it impossible to conjure the same rosy hues. She remembered the relentless sun, the gritty sand clinging to her skin, the crushing disappointment of the waves washing away their creation. She remembered feeling insignificant, watching the larger kids dominate the shore. She voiced her version of the memories, and found Clara dismissed her.

She sat on the edge of her bed, staring out the window. Everything felt flattened, as though life was unfolding at a remove. The day seemed vast, empty, and somehow hostile.