Gemotions

She stared at the open cage, the image of a small, chirping bird playing on repeat in her mind. Her pulse was erratic, her palms slick. It was too much, so much more than she could handle.

The apartment felt like a prison. The endless obligations, the pressure to succeed, the fear of failure… it all swirled together. The bird, with its needs, its demands, seemed to add another layer of weight.

She felt a sob bubble up in her throat. The idea of more responsibility was crushing. She swallowed hard, struggling to keep the tears at bay. She had to say no, but the words seemed impossible to form.