Gemotions

Sweat beaded on Sarah’s forehead as she furiously scrubbed at the already spotless counter. The bass thumped through the floorboards, a relentless pulse echoing in her skull. She ripped off her rubber gloves, tossing them onto the granite with a decisive slap.

"Fine," she muttered under her breath, grabbing her phone. The screen flickered to life, the numbers of the HOA president already dialed. Her fingers trembled slightly as she hit 'call'.

The ringing tone felt agonizingly slow. She pictured the smug grin on her neighbor’s face, a look that fueled a familiar fire in her gut.

"Yes, it’s Sarah," she snapped into the phone, her voice tight. "The noise is unbearable."