Gemotions

The tiny enclosed space seemed to shrink with every passing minute. Jessica picked at a loose thread on her skirt, her face burning. She was already late for her daughter's school play, and now this. Everything seemed to always go wrong.

Her colleague, Tom, had been trying to tell her a story, but she hadn’t been listening. She couldn't bring herself to engage. The entire situation felt like an indictment of her shortcomings.

She could feel the guilt rising in her throat, a bitter taste. “I…I shouldn't have been so distracted today," she choked out, her voice barely audible.