Gemotions

The news had spread like wildfire. Lisa, in the break room, watched as her co-workers huddled in small groups, whispering and gesticulating. The electric hum of the coffee machine seemed to amplify the silence. Her stomach churned.

She hadn't realized how much she relied on this job, how much it had become a part of her identity. The future she had been building was now blurred. She picked up a crumpled napkin from the table and smoothed it out repeatedly, the small action a pathetic attempt to regain some control.

She felt a wave of nausea. She needed to get out, to breathe. She moved to the door and quickly escaped into the hallway, leaving the gathering of people behind.