Gemotions

The silence of the house was now oppressive, heavy with unspoken dread. When she saw the request, her breath hitched. It was from Jake, and every bad memory from her childhood flooded back.

She wrapped her arms around herself, as if shielding against a physical blow. She went to the front window. She pulled the curtains shut, even though it was bright sunshine outside. Her breath came in short, shallow gasps.

She went to the phone and called her sister. The conversation was brief, stilted, and ended quickly. She needed someone, anyone, to break the stifling quiet.