Gemotions

He stared at the neighbor's face, a mask of disapproval. The words, when they came, were a sharp jab to the heart. He felt his face flush with heat. He wanted to shout back, to defend himself, but the words caught in his throat.

He watched the neighbor’s back as he turned and stomped off. His chest felt constricted, as if a vise was tightening around it. He took a shaky breath, trying to regain his composure.

He wanted to run, to escape the accusatory silence that now filled the air. But where could he go? He felt the need to apologize, but it felt impossible to do so.