Gemotions

The afternoon stretched before him, an empty expanse of potential. Daniel lay on the sofa, a blanket pulled over him. The silence was broken by a persistent ringing. It was the doorbell.

It was Ms. Evans, a new resident on the street. She proposed the idea of a shared garden plot. Her words, full of hope and excitement, fell on deaf ears. The thought of tending plants under the blazing sun filled him with dread.

He pulled the blanket higher. The simple action felt like an exertion. The idea of spending time outside felt like a burden. “Sure,” he finally said, his voice barely audible. "Do what you want."