Gemotions

Maria was preparing for a team-building exercise, a rare moment of levity in a stressful week. She was gathering the supplies when her phone vibrated. Her smile vanished as she read the subject line. Her hand froze mid-air.

She quickly clicked the email open, and read through the message in a daze. She felt her hands growing clammy, and she ran a hand over her face. She felt a strong urge to get away, to be alone for a moment.

She turned and left the room, the unused supplies forgotten. She needed to take a walk, to clear her head. She muttered to herself, “This can’t be happening right now.”