Gemotions

The house seemed to stand in judgment, its faded facade a mirror of his own tarnished soul. Richard ran a hand across his forehead, trying to wipe away the sweat that was starting to form. His grandmother's favorite chair sat in the living room, shrouded with a white sheet.

He hadn't been there when she needed him, consumed by his own petty dramas. The emptiness in the house echoed the hollow feeling inside of him. The weight of the memories was nearly unbearable.

His sister, Jessica, was going through the kitchen drawers, a faint smile on her face. He couldn't meet her eyes, knowing she saw through him.

He felt the sting of tears as he stood on the porch, feeling a deep internal need to simply escape.

"Let's get this place cleaned up," Jessica called out, her voice cheerful.

Richard swallowed, then followed her inside, feeling the weight of the silence.