Gemotions

The first thing David registered was the dull throb in his head, a lingering effect of the night before. The second was the absence of his pickup truck. His stomach dropped.

He cursed under his breath, a string of profanities that seemed to ricochet off the silent houses on the street. He’d already lost his job last week. The truck had been his only connection to feeling productive.

He kicked at a loose stone, sending it skittering across the driveway. The gesture felt futile, empty. Each step forward felt as if it was uphill.