Gemotions

“Did you hear about The Golden Spoon?” Maya’s coworker asked, leaning across her desk.

Maya froze. "No," she replied, her voice a near whisper. She felt a cold dread spread through her.

“Apparently, they’re shutting down next month. It’s on the community notice board.” Her coworker continued without seeing her silent agony. Maya felt as though she’d been punched in the gut. The Golden Spoon was her go-to spot. The place she'd taken her friends. The place her parents had first taken her on a "grown-up" date. She felt a hot flush rising from her chest, her face.

Maya avoided all eye contact, her gaze fixed on her computer screen. She could feel her co-worker's gaze on her, but she couldn't bring herself to say anything. She just wanted to disappear.