Gemotions

"So, what are you doing with yourself these days, dear?" Her aunt’s question hung in the air, heavy with unspoken judgment. Sarah shifted in her chair, the floral pattern of the sofa suddenly overwhelming. Her smile felt brittle, as though it might shatter at any moment. She forced a laugh, a sound that sounded hollow even to her own ears.

The family gathering felt like a performance. She was playing a role she wasn't sure she could convincingly portray. Pretending to be content, pretending to have a purpose, pretending to find joy in the mundane. The aromas of the catered food – so carefully chosen by her mother – were making her stomach roll.

Later, she excused herself and went outside, the cold air a welcome shock. She watched the other guests, their faces animated and alight, and wondered how they managed to find so much joy in life. She felt detached, a silent observer in a play she wasn't cast in.