Gemotions

The cold tile floor did nothing to alleviate the internal chill that had settled over Sarah. She sat cross-legged, staring at the phone in her lap. Her daughter, Emily, had been unusually quiet lately, a stark contrast to her usual bubbly self. Tonight, Sarah had found a secret account, filled with hateful comments, and unflattering pictures of her and her friends.

A wave of nausea hit. Sarah felt her gut clench and twist, as if someone had punched her. She gripped the phone tighter, her knuckles turning white. The words on the screen swam, the viciousness of them stinging like a slap. Tears pricked at her eyes, but she blinked them back, refusing to let them fall.

She closed the phone, and laid it down beside her, the phone felt like a hot coal against her skin. She had a difficult conversation ahead, and the thought was utterly unpleasant.