Gemotions

The information arrived in a fleeting message on her phone, as if meant to be swallowed whole. She stared at it, her fingers tightening around the cold metal of her phone. The cafe around her, with its cheerful chatter and the aroma of coffee, felt unreal.

She found herself picking at the loose threads of her sweater, a fidgety gesture she hadn’t done since childhood. The warmth of the sun on her face felt suddenly oppressive.

She excused herself from her friend and walked out, seeking a space away from the noise. The city air, normally invigorating, seemed heavy and polluted. The thought of starting anew was overwhelming.