Gemotions

The thumping had been going on for hours, vibrating through the floorboards and rattling the windows. It was coming from the new tenants downstairs – a couple who seemed to enjoy late-night parties. Mark was trying to read, but the noise was making it impossible.

He thought of the couple, newlyweds, probably thrilled about their new place. He remembered his own excitement when he had first found his own apartment. He paused, feeling a pang of something he couldn't quite name.

He started down the stairs, resolving to speak to them in person instead of calling the police.

He knocked on their door. A young woman, her eyes sparkling, opened it.

“Hi!” she beamed. “Come on in!”

Mark hesitated. “I’m Mark from upstairs. I was just wondering if you could maybe turn the music down a little? It’s a bit loud.”

The girl’s smile faltered. “Oh! Sorry. We didn’t realize it carried so much. We were just celebrating…”

“That’s okay,” Mark said quickly. “Just a little less volume, maybe?”