Gemotions

“Look at the potential!” his wife exclaimed, pointing at the blueprints for their new, modern home. He nodded, forcing a smile. He was supposed to be excited, too. They’d worked hard, saved, and now they were finally building their dream house. But he couldn't get the image of his childhood home out of his head.

He’d driven by it earlier that day. The windows were dark, the yard overgrown. The house itself looked tired. The house was his sister's now. They'd inherited it from their mother. His sister was so lucky, but he had a new life. He felt the familiar knot in his stomach. Why couldn’t he feel that same, excited pull? Why did he have to be happy for someone else?

He excused himself, claiming he needed some fresh air, and went out into the yard. The new house would be lovely. But this was not his home.