Gemotions

The apology arrived on a postcard, a faded image of a seaside town she had visited with her sister, years ago. The sudden, unexpected intrusion into her carefully curated present was like a physical blow. Her heart rate increased.

She found herself walking, pacing the length of her tiny apartment. The postcard was clutched in her hand, the paper thin and worn. She could not comprehend how her carefully built existence had been invaded.

Her hands shook. She wanted to smash the porcelain figurines on her shelf. She went to the window, staring out at the rain-slicked street below. She ran both hands through her hair.