Gemotions

The weight in his chest made it difficult to breathe. He sat at the kitchen table, staring blankly at his half-eaten breakfast. The morning news blared from the television, but the words were just noise.

He’d always imagined himself as independent, self-reliant. Now, here he was, back in his childhood home, a failure in his own eyes. The feeling was a dark, constant companion.

He pushed his plate away, the food suddenly unappetizing. He just wanted the day to be over, to fade into a peaceful oblivion.