Gemotions

“But imagine, the snuggles!” Ben’s voice was too loud. The words felt like sandpaper grating against Leo’s already frayed nerves. He’d just gotten home after a particularly exhausting shift at the hospital, and the last thing he wanted was another lecture on the merits of a pet hamster.

He stared at the remote in his hand, unable to make himself press the power button on the television. He’d thought they could have a quiet night. He pictured the tiny hamster wheel squeaking, the constant scurrying, the smell of sawdust. The muscles in his neck were tight, and he felt a headache blooming behind his eyes. He slowly put the remote down.