Gemotions

The morning had begun with a fight. Now, as Sarah stared at the empty space where her ancient Volvo used to reside, a cold dread solidified in her stomach. It felt like a physical weight, pressing down. She’d barely slept, the argument with her mother still echoing in her head. She’d needed that car; needed it to escape, if nothing else. Now, it was gone. Gone, and she didn't even know where. She pulled out her phone, the screen smudged with yesterday's takeout grease.

"Seriously?" she muttered, the word a raw rasp. Her hands trembled as she dialed the tow company’s number, the keypad a blur. She felt a frantic itch behind her eyes, the familiar sting of impending tears. She hated this feeling, the sense of being backed into a corner, with nowhere left to run.

The robotic voice on the other end felt like a final, cruel blow. “Your vehicle… has been towed…” the mechanical monotone droned. The details swam before her; the address, the fee. Another problem. Another thing to solve. Another weight.