Gemotions

He avoided the lobby for three days. Whenever he heard the telltale click-clack of high heels echoing through the stairwell, he'd duck into his apartment, feigning absorption in his work. Mark knew the new owners were touring, showing off the building's "prime" location. He’d lived here for almost a decade, a fixture in the old guard. Now, he felt like a stain on the carpet, an uninvited guest.

He skipped his usual evening walk and turned off his phone. His rent was always late, and he knew he didn’t have the money for a down payment. He pictured his cramped space, his peeling paint, and his mismatched furniture.

He began cleaning the kitchen, scrubbing the greasy stove top until his knuckles were raw.