Gemotions

The weight of the notice seemed to settle in Martha’s chest, a physical pressure. Her breath hitched. She went over and picked up the notice, read it again, then folded it carefully and set it back down. The gesture was a waste.

She looked at her reflection in the dusty mirror, a stranger staring back with vacant eyes. Her hair was a mess, her face pale, and her eyes lacked their usual sparkle. She hadn’t left the apartment in days.

She thought about the groceries she needed, the calls she had to make. Each task seemed insurmountable, a mountain she couldn't even begin to climb. She found herself sinking onto the bed, the familiar scent of lavender from the pillow a poor comfort. The air around her seemed thick, hard to breathe.