Gemotions

The afternoon sun streamed through the grimy windows, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. Their sister, Olivia, hummed as she dusted the antique furniture. It was the way she hummed that got to him.

He was the one who had brought up the idea of selling it and dividing the money. Olivia had insisted on keeping it. She talked about preservation, about history, about family. He could see her already, hosting parties, filling the rooms with laughter and life.

He gritted his teeth, clenching his fists. The thought of it, of her, of all of it, made him feel inexplicably restless and agitated. He went to stand outside in the garden, anywhere away from the scene inside.