Gemotions

The mechanic had just left, shaking his head. Sarah stared at the bill, the numbers blurring. Then, she saw it: the sleek, black sports car gliding into Mr. Peterson's driveway. It was brand new, and the image seared itself into her memory.

She felt a prickling heat rise to her cheeks. She had been scrimping and saving for months just to keep her own aging car running, and now, here was Mr. Peterson, living in a different universe. This was made worse by the fact that he was always friendly, always offering her a smile and a wave.

Sarah suddenly felt the need to retreat. She pulled the curtains shut, shutting out the sunlight. The air in her small apartment seemed to thicken, making it difficult to breathe. She sat heavily on the couch, running her hands over her face.