Gemotions

The sheriff’s deputy gave a curt nod and left, the eviction notice a cold weight in Ethan’s hand. He crumpled the paper, throwing it against the wall, but then he quickly retrieved it, smoothing it out almost immediately. His apartment was already sparse, a reflection of the life he led. Each surface, from the kitchen counter to the desktop, was devoid of clutter.

He ran a hand through his hair, his mind buzzing with the practicalities. Finding a new place, packing his few belongings. The thought sent a chill through him, a feeling of being untethered. He pulled up his phone and scrolled through his contacts, a list of names that felt more like ghosts than friends.

Later, he walked to the corner store and bought a beer. He stood on the sidewalk, nursing the bottle, watching the other people. Their easy interactions with each other a constant reminder of how far he was from them.