Gemotions

The old book lay open on the table, the pages brittle and yellowed. He'd been trying to read for hours, but the words swam before his eyes. He couldn't seem to focus, his mind constantly drifting to… nowhere.

The constant thud of hammers next door, the rhythmic banging of the fence builders, irritated him. He’d even thought about going over to offer assistance. He didn’t.

He felt a vague, internal… dissatisfaction. He picked up his phone, scrolled through social media, seeing the lives of others, and felt even worse. The book remained untouched. The sun set.