Gemotions

The elevator doors opened onto the parking garage, and Jessica took a deep breath of the slightly stale air. She walked toward her car, her steps light and springy. The notification on her phone confirmed it. The promotion was hers.

She thought about the hours she'd invested in her career, the projects she'd driven, and the sacrifices she'd made. It felt like all of that had culminated in this moment. A quiet smile spread across her face as she unlocked the car door.

The drive home was smooth, the traffic lighter than usual. She turned the radio up, letting the music fill the car. As she pulled into her driveway, she saw her dog, Max, waiting by the door, tail wagging furiously. She had missed him. She felt the urge to give him the biggest hug she could muster.

The evening stretched before her, full of possibilities. Dinner with her family, a long soak in the tub. Maybe a glass of wine.