Gemotions

The world seemed to tilt on its axis as she read the letter. Her palms started to sweat, and she felt a wave of heat wash over her, then recede, leaving her chilled. Her fingers tightened around the worn handle of her handbag. *The Whispering Willow... Closing its doors after 30 years.*

She took a deep breath, trying to regain some semblance of composure. She reread the words, as if willing them to change. The image of the restaurant, its soft lighting and gentle music, filled her mind, now only a memory.

She stood abruptly, pushing back from the garden bench. She needed to move, to do something. She needed to find a way to make sense of this disruption. Her vision blurred, and the world seemed to narrow.