Gemotions

"So, that's the filing system," Jessica said, her voice sounding thin, like a stretched-out rubber band. She barely glanced at the young man, David, as she spoke, her focus fixated on the stack of papers she was pretending to sort. She felt a growing weight in her chest, a pressure that squeezed the air from her lungs. She kept her hands busy, anything to avoid the full impact of her situation. Each task explained, each form reviewed, felt like a nail hammered into the coffin of her career. A bitter taste lingered in her mouth.