Gemotions

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee did nothing to lift the grayness that had settled over Daniel's morning. He sat at the kitchen table, staring out the window at the rain. The invitation, with its glossy photograph of him in a cap and gown, lay untouched beside his mug. He felt a deep sense of apathy.

He should be making calls, sending emails, but his mind felt like a tangled web. He took a sip of his coffee, the bitterness doing nothing to sharpen his senses. He glanced at the clock, then out at the rain, again. He pushed his chair back, the scraping sound echoing in the kitchen. He felt a profound weariness, an unwillingness to engage with the world.

He felt the sudden, and unwelcome, pull of the sofa.