Gemotions

The insistent buzzing of the refrigerator jarred Evelyn from her reverie. She stood at the kitchen counter, carefully arranging a vase of sunflowers, her fingers moving with a practiced grace. Her roommate, Daniel, was perched on a stool, enthusiastically listing the qualities of various breeds of dogs. "A golden retriever would be perfect! Loyal, friendly…"

Evelyn's mind drifted back to her childhood home, the aroma of her mother's freshly baked bread filling the kitchen, the sunlight streaming through the window as her old dog, a German Shepherd named Max, would curl up at her feet. She could almost feel Max's weight against her legs.

She meticulously wiped a stray crumb from the counter. The prospect of getting a dog, of all that love and responsibility, just seemed… overwhelming. She wasn’t sure she could bring herself to do it. “Let’s… let’s just think about it, okay?” she said, avoiding eye contact.