Gemotions

"But a cat, Alex! They're so independent!" Jess’s words were a relentless assault on Alex's composure. He felt a tremor in his fingers. He imagined the hair, the scratching posts, the potential for the cat to roam throughout their apartment. He pictured the chaos.

He swallowed hard, his throat dry. The idea of losing control filled him with a potent dread.

He ran his hand through his hair, a nervous gesture he hadn't realized he was doing.
"I... I need some air," he said, pushing himself up from the chair. He felt a desperate need to escape.