Gemotions

The phone wouldn't stop ringing. The traffic was horrendous. The dry cleaner had ruined his favorite shirt. Daniel felt as though the world was conspiring against him. He was not a happy man.

While walking his dog, he stubbed his toe on something solid. It was a buried box. Inside, he found a collection of old baseball cards, a childhood treasure. He had a vague memory of burying them.

He opened the box. The memories, initially nostalgic, quickly soured. He recalled the countless hours spent collecting the cards, the obsessive pursuit of worth, the disappointment when he didn't get what he wanted. It was all a complete waste of time. He felt a familiar knot of frustration tighten in his chest. He kicked the box back into the hole, turned, and marched back toward his apartment.