Gemotions

"Look at this!" Alex's sister, Emily, was practically bouncing as she held up a chipped teacup. Alex remained on the porch, staring out at the overgrown garden. The sun felt too bright, the air too thick. He rubbed his temples, a dull ache throbbing behind his eyes.

He barely listened as Emily described her plans for the house. He didn't care about the paint colors or the new furniture. He was stuck here, tethered to this place, to the memory of their grandmother, to a grief that felt bottomless.

He felt the need to flee, to run far away from this house and everything it represented. He wanted to shout, to break something. But he stood still, his shoulders slumped, lost in his own bleak thoughts.