Gemotions

"Just get through the shift," she mumbled under her breath. The diner's clatter filled her ears. The aroma of stale coffee and greasy food was overwhelming. She wiped down a table, her movements slow, each action a burden. The soles of her feet throbbed. A lost wallet sat abandoned near the door, its presence a foreign object against the floor.

She bent down, her back protesting. The wallet felt heavy in her hand. She thought about what she could do with the money inside. Food, warmth, a break from the constant grind.

She glanced over at the bustling tables, the endless stream of orders. She had a job to do, and the thought of breaking her routine seemed terrifying. She had to make the right choice, though her heart argued for the opposite. She held the wallet in her hand for a moment longer before walking over to her boss.