Gemotions

The sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. Time seemed to stretch and warp, each second indistinguishable from the last. She’d brewed coffee, then another pot, then a third, all without feeling the buzz of caffeine. She’d rearranged the living room furniture, then put it back. The ticking of the grandfather clock in the hall had become a relentless irritant.

A rhythmic grinding noise pierced the lethargy. He glanced out the kitchen window, his eyes widening in stunned dismay. The tow truck was already attached to his sedan. A wave of frustration, sharp and sudden, cut through the aimless haze. He slammed the door, adrenaline surging through him. "Not today," he grumbled, grabbing his keys with a renewed sense of purpose.