Gemotions

The afternoon sun streamed through the kitchen window, illuminating dust particles suspended in the air. Liam tapped his fingers against the kitchen counter, the repetitive rhythm echoing in the quiet. He’d cleaned the entire house, even scrubbed the grout in the bathroom. The hum of the refrigerator seemed to amplify the stillness. A florist’s delivery. A riot of color: a mix of irises and tulips. No note. He held them, turning them this way and that. The vibrant hues seemed to mock the grey inside. He placed them in a vase, feeling a dull ache in his chest.