Gemotions

The news broke across the radio, a brief mention sandwiched between traffic updates and the weather forecast. Emily, mid-bite of her toast, nearly choked. A violent cough wracked her body. "Mama Mia's... closing?"

She fumbled with the volume button, twisting it until the announcer's voice was barely audible. Her chest felt constricted. The words seemed to stick in her mind. The radio's sudden silence felt deafening. She pushed her chair back from the table, not noticing the scraping noise.

She hadn't been able to cook a good lasagna for a decade. Mama Mia's lasagna was the highlight of her week.