Gemotions

The afternoon light cast long shadows across the living room, highlighting the dust motes dancing in the air. The silence was broken only by the hum of the refrigerator. John was struggling to finish the crossword.

A bark erupted from the backyard. It was the neighbor’s escape artist, Buster. He'd squeezed under the fence again.

He sighed, his shoulders slumping. He’d been putting off yard work all week. "Alright, buddy, let’s go," he called, his voice flat.

But as he walked towards the dog, a flicker of something resembling anticipation ignited within him. Maybe a little distraction was exactly what he needed.