Gemotions

The first thought that sprang to his mind was, “Well, here we go.” He’d known this day was coming, the slow march toward gentrification. The neighborhood was becoming hip, the rents were going up, and change was inevitable.

He stared at the notice on the fridge, held up with a faded magnet shaped like a cartoon cat. He reached for a beer, pulling it from the fridge. He popped the top, the familiar hiss a small comfort. He sat on the sofa, the cushion molded to his shape. He took a long, slow swallow.

He thought about the boxes he’d need to find, the places he’d need to look. He thought about the hassle. He finished the beer.