Gemotions

The humid air of the Florida summer clung to Maria like a shroud. Her sister, Isabella, had just declared her intention to embrace Buddhism. Maria felt a leaden feeling in her chest, a weight that followed her as she meticulously arranged the silverware on the dining table, the clinking a shallow counterpoint to the news. Everything felt…constrained.

She had pictured Isabella beside her for countless holidays, their shared Catholic upbringing a sturdy foundation. Now, this shifting of beliefs had redrawn the family map, and Maria felt the edges of her own existence blurring, the familiar landmarks fading.

Later, she found herself staring into the swirling water of the washing machine, the churning a dizzying echo of her thoughts. She felt like she was wading through molasses, the everyday tasks consuming all her strength. Her usual energy was depleted; a numbness had settled in her limbs.