Gemotions

The smell of freshly baked bread drifted from the open window of the bakery, a scent that usually brought pleasure. But today, it just intensified the clench in Emily’s stomach. She stood outside, clutching her worn purse, the coins inside barely enough for a stale croissant. Across the street, the Delaneys were unloading shopping bags from their chauffeured car, overflowing with gourmet groceries.

She turned away, the familiar knot tightening in her chest. She found herself walking slowly back to her apartment. Her apartment, she thought, a small damp, and rather run down building. The world had gone and left her behind. Her reflection in the grimy window of a closed shop seemed gaunt and drawn. Her eyes, bloodshot. She felt suddenly so small, so irrelevant.