Gemotions

The morning sun warmed Elias's face as he sat on his porch swing, a mug of Earl Grey steaming gently in his hands. A robin chirped from the oak tree in his front yard. His neighbor, Mrs. Gable, had started a renovation on her house. He heard the first insistent hammering. He took a long, slow sip. The tea was the perfect temperature.

He could hear the rhythmic thudding now, a steady beat that didn’t ruffle his sense of peace. He closed his eyes, listening to the birdsong and the construction sounds. He focused on the delicate floral scent of the tea, and the way the sun was warming his cheeks. He could hear Mrs. Gable's voice, raised in instruction, but it was distant and did not bother him.

After a while, Elias leaned forward, set his mug down on the small table and picked up his book, a well-worn copy of “Wuthering Heights”. He opened the book to the bookmark and began to read.