Gemotions

The vibrant colors of the company cafeteria felt garish to Sarah. She picked listlessly at a salad, the crisp lettuce and ripe tomatoes offering no comfort. The chatter around her, the laughter, the casual conversations, sounded like a soundtrack to someone else’s life.

She traced circles on the condensation of her water glass. The thought of the looming layoffs filled her with dread. The email, with its vaguely worded assurances, had only amplified her unease.

She thought of her children, their school supplies, the upcoming soccer season. She hadn't told them yet. She couldn't bring herself to face the inevitable questions. She felt a lump forming in her throat.