Gemotions

Her hands were shaking as she stirred the thin stew. Maria knew she had to make it stretch for another three days. Three days until her next paycheck, and even then, there wasn't much there. Rent was always late. Her life was a constant exercise in managing scarcity.

She glanced out the window and observed the elaborate fountain that had recently been installed in the backyard of the mansion next door. Mrs. Dubois, so friendly and so kind, was secretly, obscenely wealthy. This she had discovered, quite accidentally, while looking through the local newspaper.

Maria felt a cold wave wash over her, a deep and profound sense of isolation. The aroma from her stew lost all allure. She leaned her head against the cool glass, feeling utterly deflated.