Gemotions

The television murmured softly in the background, a low drone of white noise. Michael sat on the sofa, a half-finished crossword puzzle resting on his lap. The letters, meticulously filled in, felt oddly…complete. He was not restless today. He felt calm.

He reached for the remote, switching off the TV and then, on a whim, opened a drawer in the coffee table. Inside, a small box. He lifted the lid. Inside, a bank statement, and the account belonged to his wife, Sarah. The funds were considerable. He felt…nothing.

He returned to the crossword, the familiar patterns and the satisfying feel of the pencil against the paper. He found the next word, effortlessly.