Gemotions

The rejection notification hit her like a physical blow. Her hopes, laid bare on the page, were dismissed. She felt a sting, but it quickly morphed into something else: a gentle warmth.

She pictured her cat, Clementine, curled up in her favorite sunbeam. She thought of the simple pleasure of petting her soft fur. She wanted to hug Clementine so tightly.

She wandered over to the living room. Clementine was, as expected, basking in the sun. She knelt, her fingers gently stroking the cat’s back. A deep, quiet contentment settled over her, and the sting of rejection faded away.