Gemotions

Rain hammered against the window, mirroring the dull ache in Daniel's chest. He hadn't left the couch all day. The remote lay abandoned in his hand; the television, a flickering wasteland of vapid programming. Empty pizza boxes teetered precariously beside him.

His roommate, Mark, burst in, beaming. "I found a kitten! Tiny, fluffy, and needs a home." Mark held up a picture on his phone. A ball of orange fluff.

Daniel stared blankly. He felt a profound sense of…nothing. The kitten was cute, of course. But the thought of caring for something, of responsibility, sent a wave of…he didn't know what it was…over him, a feeling of unease.

“Think of the cuddles!” Mark was practically vibrating with excitement. He added, “It'll be good for you, man. Get you out of this…rut.” He stopped, noticing Daniel's expression.

Daniel just shrugged, pulling the blanket tighter around himself. “I don’t want a cat.”