Gemotions

The email arrived at noon, a bland subject line: “Important Announcement.” She clicked it open, her fingers already numb. She read the words, and a strange inertia washed over her. The Italian Gardens was closing. The restaurant where her parents had met. The restaurant where she and her sister had spent countless summers.

She closed her laptop, the screen reflecting her face, a face that felt strangely blank. She should probably call her sister. She would do it later. She got up from her desk and walked to the window, watching the rain streak down the glass. The city looked gray and uninteresting.

The rain fell harder, blurring the buildings. She turned and went to the kitchen, and made herself a cup of tea. She sat at the table and stared into the steaming mug, the warmth doing nothing to thaw the chill inside. Her phone vibrated on the table, it was her sister. She ignored it.