Gemotions

A leaden weight sat in Daniel's stomach, making him want to lie down and not get up. Across the kitchen table, Maya tapped her fingers, her voice a bright, chirpy counterpoint to his internal state. “Think of the cuddles, Daniel! A little fluffy friend to greet us when we get home!”

He stared at his untouched coffee, the dark liquid reflecting the dim light of the apartment. Every suggestion, every excited anecdote about a potential kitten, felt like nails on a chalkboard. He shifted in his seat, his shoulders hunched.

“I’ve got so much on,” he mumbled, the words barely audible. The thought of adding another layer of obligation to his already overloaded life felt completely overwhelming. The world outside, the possibility of a new life, just felt distant and difficult.