Gemotions

The phone felt heavy in Elena's hand, a lead weight. She felt a strange tingling in her fingertips. Her daughter’s hidden account, a carefully constructed online life, was laid bare before her. She had a sudden, overwhelming urge to break something, but quickly quashed the impulse.

Each picture, each comment felt like an accusation, a silent judgment. She sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the screen, her breath coming in shallow gasps. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the images, but they burned behind her eyelids. Her head throbbed.