Gemotions

The mail had just arrived, and Sarah flipped through the stack with a sigh. Bills, flyers, and a glossy magazine. She paused. The magazine was addressed to Mr. Peterson, the quiet man next door who always seemed to be struggling to keep his old house in good condition.

She opened the magazine, out of idle curiosity, and saw page after page of luxurious travel destinations, private jets, and designer clothes. Her jaw dropped. He always wore the same worn-out sweater and patched-up trousers. He was always complaining about the leaky faucet.

She re-read his address at the top of the magazine, then looked up at his house. The roof sagged, the paint peeled, and the lawn was unkempt. A deep furrow formed between her eyebrows. She felt a strange tightness in her chest. This simply didn't add up.