Gemotions

The leather felt cold and alien against Elias’s palm. He’d found it tucked under a park bench, the worn exterior barely concealing the thick wad of bills within. He’d never seen so much money in one place. Immediately, he’d scanned the surroundings, hoping to catch a glimpse of the owner, but the late afternoon sun cast long shadows and the park was deserted. He tucked the wallet into his own pocket, a knot twisting in his gut.

He walked home slowly, avoiding eye contact with anyone he passed. The thought of the rent, overdue for a month, swam in his mind. He could pay it all, and have a little left over. The image of the eviction notice, a constant worry, flickered in his thoughts.

That evening, he ate silently, pushing the food around his plate. His wife kept glancing at him, her brow furrowed. He felt the weight of her gaze. He should tell her, but the words wouldn’t form.