Gemotions

Maya hummed a quiet tune as she sliced vegetables for a salad. The kitchen, bathed in the afternoon light, was a picture of order. She placed the letter on the counter and then continued humming. The rhythmic chopping felt grounding.

Her hands moved with practiced ease. The crisp snap of the cucumber and the vibrant colors of the tomatoes delighted her. The news was unwelcome, but not unsettling. She took a moment to breathe, a calm filling her chest.

She knew she would reach out to her professors and see if there were any grants or help, but for now she would just finish making the salad. She would eat it in the garden.