Gemotions

The coffee tasted like ash, the same bitterness that had settled in Chloe's mouth for weeks now. She watched her reflection in the glass of the office window. Her eyes were dull, reflecting the sterile landscape of cubicles and beige walls. Each morning she felt like she was wading through quicksand to get here.

She was stapling reports when her colleague, Ben, walked over, a stack of papers in his hands. He was grinning, something Chloe rarely saw on his face. "You know, the director's daughter from Camp Clearwater, just got married," he announced.

Chloe paused, the stapler mid-air. "Clearwater?"

Ben nodded, excitement dancing in his eyes. "Yeah, I was a counselor there. You?"