Gemotions

He stared at the screen, the listing a cruel joke. "New Price!" blared the headline, as if the cost of the property had anything to do with the price of his memories. A strange numbness washed over him, a quiet detachment. He felt his hands begin to tremble.

He remembered the peeling wallpaper of his bedroom, the scent of his mother's perfume that lingered in the hallway. Now, the description boasted about "modern upgrades" and "sleek design."

He leaned back in his chair, the weight of the years pressing down. His throat felt tight, a physical constriction that made it difficult to swallow. He closed his eyes, replaying the sounds of his youth – the squeak of the porch swing, the slam of the screen door, the voices of his siblings, now distant and faded.