Gemotions

The text message flashed across her screen: “Can’t make it to dinner. Big project deadline.” Emily stared at the words, a tight knot forming in her throat. She knew, with a sinking certainty, that her friend was once again fabricating a busy schedule. Emily had been spending less and less time with her; she had started to wonder what it meant. She looked at the unanswered texts, the unanswered phone calls. The world seemed to dim. She sat on the couch, the silence of the apartment closing in around her. The familiar ache in her chest seemed to grow stronger.