Gemotions

"You wouldn't believe it, they’re just... tearing it down," Mark said, his voice strained as he spoke to his sister on the phone. "No respect, none. Just bang, bang, bang." He paced his tiny apartment, phone pressed to his ear. He'd been looking at the photos on his phone all morning, photos of a life lived, a home filled with joy and laughter.

His sister was calm. "Well, it's just a house, Mark. You have the memories, right?" He stopped pacing. The words landed on him like a slap. *Just a house.* Had she forgotten all the things that had happened there? Had she forgotten the sleepless nights, the family dinners, the games they played until the streetlights came on?

"It was where we grew up, Sarah!" he snapped, the words coming out sharper than he intended. The line went silent for a moment. Then, his sister’s voice, a little softer, "I know, Mark. I'm sorry." He hung up, unable to speak, his anger a knot in his stomach. He was alone with the images on the screen, feeling more isolated than ever.