Gemotions

The clatter of the letterbox had jolted Clara from a deep sleep. She'd been dreaming of soaring through clear skies. Now, the weight of the eviction notice settled on her like a physical burden. Her breath hitched. She pulled herself up from the bed, the blankets felt foreign.

She walked slowly, as if she was underwater, to the kitchen table. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. Each one seemed to taunt her. She sat in front of the table, not daring to move.

Clara’s mind was a whirlwind of anxieties. How could she tell her kids? She felt a sudden, desperate urge to hide, to disappear. She squeezed her eyes shut, wishing she could rewind time, or simply vanish.