Gemotions

"Are you even listening?" Her husband's voice, usually a comfort, now felt like a pinprick. She turned away from him, staring out the window at the vibrant autumn colors, the beauty of the season lost on her. The DNA results, a stark revelation of lineage, sat on the counter. She’d been avoiding them, unable to bear the weight of the information. Her legs felt like lead weights, heavy and rooted. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to find some semblance of equilibrium, but the room seemed to spin. The air grew thick, making it difficult to draw a full breath. She mumbled something about needing air and slipped outside into the crisp, cool air.