Gemotions

A bead of sweat trickled down Maya's temple, tracing a cold path against her skin. The airport terminal was a churning mass of hurried footsteps and echoing announcements. She hadn’t slept well in days, consumed by anxieties. Her flight was delayed. She'd been pacing, counting the tiles in the floor.

Then, a melody, achingly familiar, drifted from the muffled speakers overhead. It was her song, the one she'd poured her heart into, “City Lights.” It was being played over the public address system.

Her vision blurred. She felt a prickle of panic, the world squeezing around her. She struggled to breathe. She found herself clutching her purse so hard her knuckles ached.

The song ended. A perky voice made an announcement. Then, the whole thing began again.