Gemotions

The kitchen was a mess, a testament to a morning of very little. Dishes piled in the sink, breakfast crumbs scattered across the counter. John sat at the table, staring at a blank screen. The phone chimed, a small, irritating sound. A friend request. From Kevin, the boy who'd made his life miserable in their early years.

He dragged a hand across his face, a gesture of profound weariness. His eyes followed the request, a tiny square of digital dread. Responding felt impossible. He closed his eyes, and leaned back in the chair. He couldn't bring himself to even consider the request, the world, or the potential for conflict.