Gemotions

The Christmas card arrived in the mail, addressed to "The Smith Family." Inside, a photograph of a smiling woman and two children. Her "sister", and her nephews. Clara felt a surge of nausea. She tossed the card into the trash without a second glance.

The next few weeks were a blur. She stopped speaking to her mother. She cancelled her annual holiday trip. She spent most of her time alone, staring out the window, watching the world go by.

One evening, she found herself standing in front of the mirror, her reflection gaunt, her eyes devoid of light. She didn't recognize the woman staring back at her.