Gemotions

The doorbell chimed, a cheerful sound that immediately soured. Sarah grabbed the delivery slip from the doorman. A vase of vibrant lilies sat on the table in her hallway, stems dripping water onto the polished wood. No card. Her breath hitched. The air suddenly felt thick, too close. She circled the flowers, her hand hovering over the pristine white petals, then snatching it back. Who? Why?

Her phone was in her hand before she consciously willed it. Scrolling, scrolling, her thumbs fumbled over the contacts list. Michael? No, he'd send roses. David? Impossible. They hadn’t spoken in years. She bit her lip, the taste of blood metallic in her mouth. She backed away from the flowers, a desperate, irrational need to put distance between herself and the unknown sender.