Gemotions

“But think of the joy!” Mark’s roommate, Ben, exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with excitement. He gestured animatedly, as if conjuring a furry friend out of thin air. “A dog! We could take it for walks in the park, play fetch, cuddle on the couch…” Mark stared at his shoes. His feet felt heavy, as if made of lead. The vibrant energy emanating from Ben bounced off him, unable to penetrate the thick wall of ennui that surrounded him.

He pictured the early morning walks, the constant demands for attention, the responsibility. The thought of it all made his stomach clench. He already struggled to get out of bed in the morning, the weight of the day pressing down on him before it even began. A dog? It felt like another crushing burden.

“I… I don’t think I’m ready,” he mumbled, his voice barely audible. He slumped onto a kitchen chair, the plastic cold against his skin.