Gemotions

The aroma of freshly baked bread, usually a source of comfort, turned bitter in her mouth. Maria stared at the eviction notice, the harsh language a stark contrast to the warmth she’d cultivated in her apartment.

She pushed back from the table, her chair scraping against the floor. A cold sweat slicked her palms. She felt a growing, desperate need to flee.

She paced back and forth, her steps hurried, her breath shallow. The thought of leaving everything behind, of starting over, was a physical blow. She longed for a sense of belonging, a place to call home.