Gemotions

“Come on, come on,” she muttered, checking the clock for the tenth time. The opening night of the school play was mere hours away, and the lead actor had just called in sick. She ran a hand through her hair, which felt like a tangled mess, and then took a deep, forced breath. The backstage area was a whirlwind of frantic activity.

A small, intricately designed mask arrived. The sender was a former student, Maria, who had graduated the previous year. It was a perfect replica of the mask the lead actor was supposed to wear. It was a tangible sign that everything might, somehow, work out.