Gemotions

The coffee shop buzzed with a morning rush, but Amelia felt disconnected. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee, usually a comfort, only irritated her. She had arrived at her office early, eager to show Mr. Henderson the project she’d been working on. Finding his desk cleared, she was presented with a cold memo. His retirement was immediate. He'd left a gift for her, a fountain pen, but the gesture felt like a final, dismissive wave.

She stared at the pen, the polished steel mocking her. She ran her thumb along the cool barrel. The cheerful chatter of the barista sounded irritatingly loud. The entire day felt warped, an off-kilter reality where the ground had shifted under her feet. All the energy she’d saved up felt utterly deflated.