Gemotions

John kicked at a loose stone, sending it skittering across the cracked pavement. He’d just poured himself a coffee, a precious moment of quiet before the day’s chaos, when he saw the flashing lights. Now, his morning was ruined. He ran to his front door, grabbing his keys as he slammed it behind him. The tow truck was already hauling his beat-up Corolla onto its flatbed.

He yelled at the driver, his voice raw with a sudden, building heat. "Are you kidding me? This is insane!" The driver just shrugged, the picture of impassivity. John’s jaw worked. He could feel the pulse in his temple throbbing with a frantic rhythm. He wanted to scream.