Gemotions

The house felt too quiet. The echoes of laughter, shared jokes, and late-night talks were muted by the empty rooms. David was gone. He’d left a week ago, and the silence in the house, where they both grew up, was a crushing burden. It was a silence that spoke volumes of his absence.

He had known about the move for months, but he had done nothing. He hadn’t pushed back, hadn’t begged him to stay, hadn't even offered a decent goodbye. The regret gnawed at him, a constant, dull ache. He walked through the house, touching things that reminded him of David, each touch a fresh pang of recognition for the mistakes he had made. The space felt full now, but not with David.

He sat on the porch, waiting for a call he knew wouldn't come.