Gemotions

The vibrant colors of the pet store window seemed to mock Jessica's dejected state. Mark's vehement rejection of her dream of a little parrot echoed in her ears. “Too messy, too noisy," he’d said. "Absolutely not.”

She had imagined the cheerful squawks, the bright feathers. Now, her vision of their home was clouded by a gray film of thwarted wishes. She ran her fingers across her lips, a nervous habit she hadn't realized she had.

She felt a hollowness that threatened to swallow her whole.