Gemotions

The rhythmic thudding started promptly at eight, just as the sky began to lighten. Sarah pulled the covers tighter, wishing the noise would simply vanish. It was the neighbor, of course, starting his deck renovation. The house felt too quiet, even with the new din. She’d spent the last hour staring at the ceiling, replaying a conversation in her head, the words twisting in the air like smoke. A pressure sat behind her eyes, heavy and unwavering.

She finally dragged herself out of bed, the floorboards cold beneath her bare feet. The sunlight seemed harsh, too bright. She made coffee, barely tasting it. Outside, the hammering continued, a relentless pulse against the morning's quietude. A robin landed on the fence, chirping brightly, oblivious to the hollowness that had settled inside her.