Gemotions

Her eyes scanned the empty dining room, the table set for a formal dinner. Clara had meticulously planned a sophisticated evening with a gourmet meal. Her friend, Emily, was hosting a costume pub crawl. Clara knew where everyone was headed.

She walked to the window, staring out at the darkening sky. The house felt too big, too empty. She wrapped her arms around herself, as if trying to hold herself together.

She let out a long, slow breath. The silence was a heavy cloak, pressing down on her. The expectation of the evening had vanished and with it, any hope for joy.