Gemotions

A coldness crept up Maya's spine as she listened to David talk about his plans. The images of beaches and sunshine, of a new life in California, felt vivid and distant. Her hands felt clammy, and she surreptitiously rubbed them against the rough fabric of her jeans.

"I… I don't know what to say," she stammered, feeling a strange tightness in her throat. The coffee in her mug sat untouched, growing cold. It was like her body was preparing for a deep freeze.

He reached out, his hand hovering over hers for a moment before retracting it. "It'll be okay," he said, the words hollow. She noticed his forced smile, a mirror of the one she was trying to maintain. A sudden need to flee overcame her, but she remained rooted to the spot, paralyzed.