Gemotions

The air in the museum felt thick and suffocating. Clara spotted the exhibition from the doorway. It was her ceramic pieces, placed inside glass display cases. They were her grandmother's, now presented as hers. Her knees threatened to buckle. She had submitted work to a different show. She had not signed any contracts.

She clutched her purse so tightly her knuckles were white. The lights bounced off the glass, making her pieces appear distorted and strangely detached. She felt a cold dread settle in her stomach.

She wished she could disappear. She wanted to scream out, but her throat felt constricted. Her pulse quickened with each passing moment as people walked past the exhibit, talking about her 'genius.' She wanted to claw her skin. She had to do something.