Gemotions

It was as if someone had pulled the rug out from under him. Charles stared at the bank statement, the stark numbers mocking him. He found it hidden inside a copy of *Their Eyes Were Watching God*, a book she loved, and in which she had always confided. His wife, Iris. The secret account.

He blinked, trying to clear his vision. He stood, his legs shaky, and walked into the garden. The vibrant colors of the roses, usually a source of pleasure, now seemed gaudy, artificial.

He ran his hand over the rough bark of an old oak tree, seeking some kind of anchor. But he still felt lost, suspended in a state of unreal.