Gemotions

The casual way he dropped the bomb – over a lukewarm cup of instant coffee – was almost more unsettling than the news itself. She nearly choked on the liquid, sputtering and coughing as the information settled. The chipped mug felt cold in her suddenly clammy hands.

His words, about a job offer in Alaska, hung in the air, heavy and unyielding. The sunlight streaming through the kitchen window, usually a source of warmth, now felt harsh and unforgiving. She felt a strange pressure building behind her eyes, the familiar precursor to tears.

“Alaska?” she finally managed, her voice a mere whisper, as if afraid to break the fragile silence that had fallen between them. She couldn't believe it.