Gemotions

The silence in the kitchen was almost unbearable. Andrew stared blankly at the toaster, the coils glinting in the morning light. Across the counter, Chris was beaming, a picture of pure joy. He wanted a fish tank.

The idea of the equipment, the constant maintenance, the potential for a leak – it all filled him with a sense of impending doom. He felt a tightness in his chest.

He reached for the coffee pot, spilling some of the dark liquid on his hand. "Maybe…maybe we should hold off on the fish?" he stammered, wincing at the heat.

Chris’s smile wavered slightly. Andrew quickly averted his eyes, the simple request having felt like a betrayal.