Gemotions

Rain lashed against the window, mirroring the torrent inside him. He didn’t know how long he'd been sitting here, staring at the muted television. A harsh knock on the door rattled the glass panes. It was Mrs. Gable, red-faced and waving her hands in agitation. “The music, Arthur! It’s far too loud.”

Arthur swallowed, the lump in his throat making it hard to speak. "I… I'm sorry, Mrs. Gable." He stared at the floor. The stereo hadn’t been turned on since… since Emily. He couldn't remember the last time he'd even touched it.

“Well, turn it off, then! Or turn it down!” she snapped, the words sharp as shards of glass. He wanted to explain, to tell her the music was a ghost, a remnant of a life now lost. But he just nodded, numb, and closed the door.