Gemotions

The office door opened, and in walked a woman with a confident stride. “Hi, I’m Sarah. I’m your… replacement, I guess.” The new hire extended a hand, her smile bright, her eyes sparkling. I stared at her, frozen. The air felt thick, difficult to breathe.

My throat constricted, and I found myself unable to speak. The room seemed to shrink, the walls closing in. The colorful posters, the photos of my family, all blurred at the edges. I offered a shaky hand, my palm slick with perspiration.

I’d worked here for a decade. A *decade*. Now, I had to train her? My jaw ached from the effort of not saying anything.