Gemotions

The chipped mug slammed onto the counter, coffee sloshing precariously close to the edge. Liam stared at the text message again: *Moving to Portland. Next month.* He scrubbed a hand across his face, the stubble scratching against his palm. Portland. Of all places. He'd been looking forward to that hiking trip they'd planned.

He shoved the phone into his pocket and turned towards the refrigerator. Empty. He needed to pick up groceries, but the thought of leaving the house, of facing the world, felt like an insurmountable task. He grabbed the keys, the metal cold against his sweaty palm.

The drive to the supermarket was a blur of red lights and impatient honks. He barely registered the faces of other drivers. The store itself was a symphony of buzzing fluorescent lights and the clatter of carts. He grabbed a box of cereal, then threw it in the cart and wandered, aimlessly, through the aisles.