Gemotions

Michael found himself avoiding Mrs. Gable in the grocery store. It wasn't that he disliked her, per se, but the sight of her, cheerfully discussing her new sunroom with the cashier, grated on his nerves. He grabbed a bag of chips with unnecessary force, the plastic crinkling loudly.

He'd been putting off replacing his leaky roof for months, terrified of the financial strain. He'd even considered learning to do it himself, a project that quickly dissolved in the face of his own incompetence. Mrs. Gable, on the other hand, had a team of professionals practically living at her house.

He scanned the aisles, suddenly fixated on the price of avocados. He needed them, but the price seemed exorbitant. He put them back. He was certain her sunroom was going to have a heated floor, he felt sure of it.