Gemotions

The news felt like a punch to the gut. Michael paced his tiny, sun-drenched apartment, the hardwood floors creaking beneath his restless steps. He thought about the new family moving in upstairs. He had waved cheerfully to them only yesterday. They looked so excited.

He leaned against the window, watching them unpack. He hoped they were aware of the change. They were probably unaware of the struggle facing the people who already lived there, in a building bursting with stories.

He decided he would go speak with the new tenants. He couldn’t live with the guilt of allowing them to settle in without letting them know what might be looming. He found them on the lawn in front of the building. He approached them slowly, hands unclasped. "Hi," he said, hoping his voice sounded even and calm. He told them about the condo conversion and of the lives that could be irrevocably affected.