Gemotions

"Just a lovely day, isn't it?" Sarah forced a smile, her voice brittle. She was standing in her overgrown garden, desperately trying to keep up appearances. Across the meticulously manicured lawn, Mrs. Dubois was effortlessly watering her prize-winning petunias with a golden hose. Sarah’s own hose was patched and leaky, a testament to her constant struggle.

Sarah felt a dull ache in her temples, a headache that wouldn't abate. She’d been working overtime, juggling multiple jobs, just to stay afloat. Mrs. Dubois, oblivious, probably spent her days lounging by her pool, sipping iced tea. The inequity of it all was a constant, gnawing presence. Sarah’s shoulders slumped, the weight of her worries pressing down on her.