Gemotions

The silence in her apartment was heavy, filled only with the echo of the day's events. He hadn't meant to be so prickly. The construction noise was indeed disruptive, but his reaction to the contractor, a young man named Leo, had been disproportionate. He'd been too quick to criticize, too slow to offer any kind words.

She lay on her bed, staring at the cracked ceiling, each crack a reminder of his sharp words. The sharp ache in her stomach mirrored the hollowness of his house.

She got up and walked to the window, watching Leo’s methodical movements. Her fingers traced the outline of the windowpane. She wished he'd stop what he was doing so that she could go outside and make amends.