Gemotions

The flickering neon sign of the all-night diner cast elongated shadows as Sarah hunched over the booth, her knuckles white against the chipped Formica table. Her breath hitched slightly. The wallet, heavy and unfamiliar, felt like a hot coal in her grip. She hadn’t dared open it yet. The waitress, a woman with a weary smile, refilled her coffee, the ceramic clinking loudly in the otherwise quiet space. Sarah barely registered the gesture. Her eyes darted around, constantly assessing, measuring. The money within could change everything. Or destroy it.