Gemotions

The letter lay on the coffee table, a white rectangle amidst the chaos of her life. She avoided looking at it as she busied herself with tasks, anything to distract herself. Every sound was amplified, every creak and groan of the old building filled her ears. The smell of her neighbor’s cooking, usually comforting, turned nauseating.

Finally, she could no longer delay the inevitable. With a deep breath, she picked up the letter. The letters seemed to vibrate before her eyes. She put her hand to her throat, feeling the rapid, uneven rhythm of her heartbeat.

Her vision blurred, and the room spun, causing her to hold on to the table for support. She felt a wave of nausea.