Gemotions

He bounced on the balls of his feet, whistling a forgotten tune. Today was the day. The house, the place that had once been the center of his universe, was finally scheduled to be taken down. He’d spent the last few weeks clearing it out, each box, each object sparking a fresh wave of memories. Yet, instead of grief, a lightness had taken root.

He clapped his hands, a sharp sound in the otherwise quiet morning, and raced through the rooms, tracing his fingers along the familiar walls, the paint peeling away in places. He laughed, a short, breathless sound, as he recalled the time he'd tried to skateboard down the stairs.

“Ready to be free, old girl?” he asked the house, his voice filled with a giddy anticipation. He knew it was the end, but the end felt like the beginning.