Gemotions

The brittle paper crinkled under her touch. She stared at her grandmother's letter, a secret hidden in a box of old keepsakes. *"...forced to retire... blatant sexism... denied promotions..."* The words stung. Her grandmother, the woman who always encouraged her to be strong, to be independent, had been a victim.

A wave of nausea washed over her. Her hands trembled, dropping the letter. She felt an overwhelming sense of injustice, a fury that burned in her chest. She paced her small apartment, unable to sit still. She ran a hand through her hair, tugging at the strands.

The apartment walls seemed to close in on her. She felt suffocated, trapped. She grabbed her coat and keys, needing to escape, to be free of the oppressive weight. She slammed the door behind her, the sound echoing in the empty hallway.