Her mind was useless, like her brain had begun to liquefy. Her professors had responded to her email within a few hours. Each congratulated her and provided the work she’d needed to keep up with her classes. Her to-do list included two ten-page essays, four online tests, one research project, and over three hundred pages of reading and notes. At first she’d welcomed the distraction, but as the afternoon wore on, the list grew more daunting. It took most of the day, but she managed to complete the work for two of her easier classes. Now, she didn’t think she could handle anything more. She propped her head in her hands and yawned. Glancing at the clock, she realized lunch had passed by without her notice. She’d been working for hours. No wonder her brain felt full to overflowing. Though she had no appetite, she needed a break. Padding down the stairs, she headed to the deserted living room. She sprawled out on the couch and turned on the TV.
