Gemotions

The news had reached him through a distant acquaintance, a casual mention at a party. Liam’s chest constricted, a feeling of unease settling over him. He felt betrayed, as if someone had stolen something precious from him. The house, the space where he found security and acceptance, was to be wiped from the face of the earth.

He pictured the kitchen, where he and his siblings fought over the last slice of cake. The front yard, where he played baseball as a child, dreaming of future glory. These cherished spaces were about to be replaced with some new, impersonal structure.

Liam felt a rush of heat, his face flushing with a mixture of anger and sadness. He struggled to remain calm. His vision blurred as he tried to understand the world, and why such things were allowed. He gripped his glass until it threatened to break in his hand.