The Open Window

She pushed the window up and let the room change. Indoor air quality can be affected by dust, cleaning residue, and limited ventilation, which may contribute to headaches, fatigue, and respiratory irritation over time (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency).

Increasing ventilation, even briefly, helps dilute indoor pollutants and supports respiratory comfort (EPA). She wiped the sill slowly, not chasing perfection, just freshness.

The air moved. So did she. Letting something in turned out to be part of letting something go.

Works Cited (MLA)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Indoor Air Quality.” EPA, 2024.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Ventilation and Air Quality.” EPA, 2023.