Gemotions

Rain hammered against the windowpane, mirroring the dull ache in Arthur's lower back. He sat at his kitchen table, nursing his coffee, staring at the newspaper. The headlines screamed of economic downturns, failing businesses, and soaring inflation. Across the street, Mrs. Gable emerged from her house, a designer shopping bag tucked under her arm. A brand new Aston Martin sat gleaming in her driveway. He’d often noticed her casual mentions of "investments," but he'd dismissed them as harmless small talk. Arthur felt a strange, hollow feeling in his stomach. He sighed and went back to his crossword, the ink feeling impossibly thick.