Gemotions

Rain hammered down, mirroring the drumming in Leo's chest. He stared, numb, at the empty space where his beat-up Honda Civic usually resided. The tow truck was long gone, the greasy smudge on the driveway the only evidence of its visit. He felt a hot flush crawl up his neck, prickling his skin. He hadn't even heard them. Now, his neighbours were all peeking from behind their curtains.

He fumbled with his phone, his fingers clumsy on the screen. The mechanic at the towing company was terse, barely disguising his impatience. He mumbled something about a forgotten permit and exorbitant fees. Leo’s voice cracked as he stammered a response, the words lost in the downpour.