Gemotions

The instant Mark said, “Absolutely not. We’re not getting a cat,” Sarah’s jaw clenched. She’d been picturing a fluffy Persian, curled up on the sofa, for weeks. She’d even started browsing cat toys online. Now, all that joyful anticipation seemed to curdle in her stomach.

“But…” she started, her voice tight, “I thought we discussed this. We agreed to *consider* it.” Mark, oblivious, was already engrossed in his phone, scrolling through sports scores.

The silence that followed stretched, punctuated only by the rhythmic tapping of Mark’s fingers on the countertop. Sarah felt a prickling heat rise in her cheeks. He clearly didn’t care about her feelings. She abruptly excused herself, grabbing her keys and slamming the door a little too hard on her way out, the noise echoing through the apartment.