Gemotions

The empty terrarium mocked him from the corner of the living room. He should have just said yes. He’d been so focused on his own preferences, on the neatness of the apartment, that he'd failed to consider how much it would have meant to Maya. He'd dismissed her desire for a small snake, citing his fear of reptiles.

Now, he looked at the empty glass box, the sterile environment a stark contrast to the life it should have held. The quiet felt heavy, the air thick with unspoken words. He missed the idea of Maya's enthusiasm, her joy at the thought of caring for a little creature.

He rubbed his temples, a headache beginning to form. He’d been wrong. He knew it with a sickening certainty.