Gemotions

Her palms were clammy as she waited for the bus. Mrs. Harrison, who always seemed so concerned about the neighborhood watch, was a philanthropist, apparently funding half a dozen obscure charities. She felt a profound sense of self-consciousness, as if the world was watching.

Her usual commute was now a test of endurance. The other passengers, their faces obscured, seemed to judge her. She felt exposed, vulnerable, as if the secret wealth of her neighbor somehow diminished her own value.

She pulled out her phone and started scrolling aimlessly. The news articles about inflation and the economy added to the emotional tumult. She felt a cold sensation in her gut, a feeling of being utterly out of sync with the world.