Gemotions

The email sat in Eleanor’s inbox, a stark white rectangle against the cheerful backdrop of her desktop. “An Important Announcement from Bella Luna.” Her stomach lurched. This couldn’t be good. She clicked. The words blurred before her eyes, but the gist was clear: Bella Luna, her haven, her weekly ritual, was shutting its doors. A wave of heat washed over her, and she felt a ridiculous urge to hide under her desk. She slammed the laptop shut, the metallic click echoing in the suddenly silent office.

Her co-worker, David, poked his head over the cubicle wall. "Everything alright, Eleanor? You look... red."

She forced a smile, a brittle, shaky thing that she knew didn’t reach her eyes. “Fine! Just… a little warm.” She busied herself with rearranging pens, a desperate attempt to appear busy, composed. She couldn't let anyone see how utterly undone she felt. Bella Luna! Where would she get her weekly fix of perfect pasta now?