Gemotions

The tremor in Michael’s fingers made the ice clink in his glass. He’d been chatting with his neighbor, Brenda, about the price of gas, commiserating over their shared struggles. He remembered her mentioning she always walked to the market to save money. He then received a text, from his friend, who was investigating Brenda's background as a 'favor'. The message was a simple one, containing the address of Brenda's 'second home' in the Hamptons.

He'd spent hours complaining to her about his debts. The utter duplicity of it made his blood run cold. He took another large swallow of whiskey, his cheeks burning.

He felt foolish, exposed, like a character in a bad play. How could he have been so blind?