Gemotions

The steel box went dark. "Great," sighed Ben, running a hand through his hair. Sarah, his coworker, was already on the phone, her voice steady and clear as she described their situation. Ben usually resented her, found her too efficient, too… perfect. Now, though, watching her composure, he felt a stirring of something he couldn't quite name.

He leaned against the wall, the cool metal a comfort. He noticed, with a start, that his breathing had slowed. The frantic thoughts that usually plagued him were quiet. He felt a surge of gratitude for her competence.

"They're sending someone," Sarah reported, hanging up the phone. Her words were simple, yet they brought with them a wave of relief. The world outside, its endless demands and anxieties, seemed distant. He experienced a sense of grace.