Gemotions

"Finally," thought Emily, as she saw the email come into her inbox. She'd been half-expecting this, half-dreading it, for weeks. She'd been practicing her responses to the inevitable questions, rehearsing the small talk, and trying to mentally prepare for the judgment. Now, it was here.

She could feel her shoulders unclench as she clicked on the email. It wasn't the panic she'd anticipated. Instead, a sense of quiet settled over her. The tension that had been building inside her seemed to dissipate. She leaned back in her chair and sighed, and it was a sound of absolute serenity. She could almost handle this.