Gemotions

The email arrived like a punch to the gut. The subject line, "Your childhood home – New Listing," brought a chill that ran from his scalp to his toes. His hands shook as he clicked. The pictures swam before his eyes.

He kicked the coffee table, the wood groaning in protest. He hadn't felt this…empty…in ages. He hated the way his own life was going. His career was stagnant, his relationships strained, his apartment a cramped prison.

He imagined the new owners, cheerful and unaware. They would plant flowers, host barbecues, fill the rooms with laughter. He felt a wave of bitterness, a sharp, bitter taste in his mouth.