Gemotions

The hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen was the only sound. John stood frozen in the doorway, the keys clutched in his sweaty palm. His new, old room. He couldn’t bring himself to step inside. The air was thick with the scent of mothballs and something else... something that felt like failure.

His mother found him, her expression a careful mixture of concern and forced cheerfulness. “John! Welcome home! You must be exhausted.”

He nodded, unable to speak. His vision felt spotty. He imagined a vast expanse opening up before him, a gaping void into which he was about to be swallowed. He fumbled with the keys again, struggling to find the strength to cross the threshold. This was it. There was no going back.

He forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm... I'm a little tired."