Gemotions

Michael stared at the balance, the numbers mocking him from the computer screen. Sarah, his wife, had always been the frugal one, the one who clipped coupons and shopped sales. He'd always been the spender, the one who liked to indulge. Now he was the fool.

He pictured her, the gentle smile, the way she would wrap her arms around him and reassure him. All lies. He slammed the laptop shut, the sound echoing in the otherwise silent apartment. His hands were shaking. He felt small, insignificant.

He grabbed his coat, needing air, needing to escape the suffocating feeling. He didn't say a word to anyone. The walk outside felt like trudging through quicksand. He had to keep moving, keep busy. He found himself at a bar, nursing a beer, and the more the night went on, the heavier his heart became.