Gemotions

The news had stolen the appetite from Emily. She pushed around the scrambled eggs on her plate, the once appealing aroma now nauseating. The apartment complex was being converted, and the thought of leaving, of starting over, was paralyzing. She’d spent years cultivating her small, personal garden on the balcony.

She had pictured herself growing old here, watching the seasons change. Now, her vision was shattered, her future uncertain. She traced a finger around the rim of her coffee cup, the ceramic cold against her skin.

She stood abruptly, abandoning her food. The apartment felt too large, too empty.