Gemotions

He sat on the edge of his childhood bed, the mattress sagging beneath him. The floral duvet cover felt childish, and he was acutely aware of his adult frame filling the small space. Dust motes danced in the sunbeams that poured through the window, illuminating his stale air.

His phone buzzed, a text from a former coworker. "How's the new place?" it asked. He stared at the message, the words blurring before his eyes. The thought of replying, of explaining, of acknowledging his current situation, was too difficult to contemplate.

He pushed back the covers and walked to the window. The world outside seemed distant, unreal. The familiar houses of the neighborhood now seemed like alien structures, and he closed his eyes against the onslaught of emotions. His head throbbed.