Gemotions

The thought of sharing my living space with a creature that shed fur was enough to make my skin crawl. The aroma of wet dog or the sounds of incessant chirping were enough to cause a sour feeling in my gut. I sat at the kitchen table, pretending to read, but truly I was just listening to the incessant buzzing of the fish tank filter that was in the living room.

David was at it again, his voice filled with an almost sickening sweetness as he talked to the goldfish he’d named “Captain Fluffernutter.” He was smiling. Smiling! At a fish.

I finally set my book down. "David, that thing is going to die in a week. They always do."

He stopped smiling, and I immediately felt bad. But I refused to apologize.