Gemotions

"Did you see the article?" her husband asked, his voice low. He held up the newspaper, the headline screaming about the new CEO of a major tech company. The picture showed Mrs. Gable. Their Mrs. Gable. The one who, until today, had spent her days tending her roses and complaining about the HOA.

The room began to spin. Her breath caught in her throat. She recalled her own cutting remarks to Mrs. Gable during that argument about the overflowing trash cans. She had been so dismissive, so condescending.

Her hands went clammy. She felt a pressing urge to apologize, to disappear. She picked up a teacup and, without realising it, smashed it against the counter, the sound echoing in the sudden silence.