Gemotions

The aroma of grilled meat, carried on the breeze, filled David’s apartment. He breathed in deeply, but it did nothing to soothe the irritation that simmered within him. The laughter, too loud, too frequent, seemed to mock him. He balled his hands into fists.

He looked over at the well-manicured lawn next door, the overflowing flowerbeds, the meticulously organized garden. It was the picture of suburban perfection. A perfect life. It stood in stark contrast to his own, which felt messy and unfulfilled.

He slammed his fist on the coffee table. The thumping from the house next door continued, a relentless reminder of his solitude. He turned away from the window, and towards the bottle.