Gemotions

The tremor in David's hands made it difficult to pour his morning coffee. He'd bumped into Ms. Periwinkle at the farmer's market, and while she’d been jovial as always, he'd noticed the diamond pendant, almost invisible, but clearly expensive. He’d always assumed she was a retired schoolteacher. His wife was on him about being social, but he now dreaded seeing her at the upcoming block party.

He replayed their brief interaction in his head, desperately searching for some hidden meaning in her words, some veiled indication of her true status. He felt a need to retreat, to hide away in his home. The thought of small talk with his neighbors now made him want to hide.