Gemotions

The phone rang incessantly, but Chef Selena didn't answer. The review, a savage takedown of her "lack of focus", had left her reeling. The world seemed to have changed. Her dishes were her children, and the critic had declared them ugly.

She paced the small apartment, the hardwood floors creaking under her weight. Her head throbbed. She clutched a worn cookbook, her fingers tracing the words of her culinary heroes. They had failed, too, but they had persevered. But could she?

She didn't feel like cooking anymore. The thought made her want to weep.