Gemotions

The phone slipped from his hand, clattering against the hardwood floor. The eviction notice, still in the envelope, lay forgotten on the counter. He felt a numbness creep over him, a cold wave washing over his senses. He stared at the wall, at the blank space where a beloved painting had hung.

He remembered the arguments, the hurtful words, the growing distance. He had known, somewhere deep down, that this was coming. But the knowledge didn't lessen the impact; it amplified it. The silence in the apartment pressed in on him, a stifling weight that made it difficult to draw breath. He wanted to scream, to lash out, but the words were caught in his throat.