Gemotions

The phone felt heavy in Maya's hand. She’d been staring at it for an hour, the screen reflecting her own distorted image. Liam’s excited voice on the other end, describing his new job, his new life… it was too much.

She took a shaky breath. His happiness felt like a personal betrayal. She didn't understand why she felt this way.

She finally responded in a flat tone, "That’s…wonderful." The words tasted like ash. She quickly ended the call, and threw her phone on the couch.

The room seemed to shrink around her. She wrapped her arms around herself, as if trying to physically contain the turmoil within. She felt numb, detached. The world outside the window continued on, oblivious to the earthquake that had just occurred in her heart.