Gemotions

The notification buzzed on her phone, a tiny vibration that felt like a blow. Maya stared at the screen, her vision blurring. Her fingers trembled as she clicked the email open. Denial. The word blazed at her.

She felt a hollowness in her stomach, a dizzying sensation. She stumbled to the window, needing air. The bright afternoon seemed to mock her. The laughter of children playing in the park outside grated on her ears.

She threw the phone against the wall. It clattered to the floor, the screen cracking. She didn’t care. She didn’t care about anything. A tear escaped, then another, and soon a torrent of them flowed, fueled by the bitter disappointment.