Gemotions

It was the lack of anything, any reaction from them. She read the email. No 'congratulations'. No 'welcome to the family'. No acknowledgement of her existence. She had been so sure, so hopeful. The silence was deafening. She felt a sharp, cutting pain in her stomach.

She walked to the kitchen and ran water to make tea. Each drop, each movement, felt wrong. The familiar aroma of the tea, usually comforting, was lost on her. The world had gone flat. The colors seemed muted, and even the air felt heavy.

She sat in the armchair, clutching the mug. She didn't want to think, to feel, but she couldn't shut the thoughts off. The questions, the doubts, they just kept swirling around in her mind. Her hands were shaking and she set the mug on the floor.