Gemotions

The paint on the fence was peeling, just like the enthusiasm had long ago. Liam poked at a loose piece, watching it crumble. He’d been “fixing” the fence all morning, but the work felt meaningless, a Sisyphean task. He felt a deep sense of… flatness.

His sister, Jessica, emerged from the house, her face alight with an unfamiliar glow. "Guess what, Liam?" she announced excitedly. "I’m becoming a Sikh!" Liam ran his hands through his hair. The words seemed to bounce off him, leaving him untouched. He looked back at the fence, at the endless task.