Gemotions

He tripped, again. The floorboards in the hallway were rotten. Caleb gritted his teeth, feeling the sting of fresh embarrassment. This wasn't the first time he'd stumbled. He was supposed to be the practical one, the one who handled the repairs, but he was failing spectacularly.

His sister, Eliza, was watching him with a mixture of amusement and pity. She’d been mocking him all day.

"Careful, Caleb," she drawled, "Don't want you falling through the floor."

He wanted to scream. He imagined the inspection report, the list of problems, the endless expenses. He felt his face flush a crimson red. He knelt down, pretending to inspect the damage, trying to compose himself.