Gemotions

The doorbell rang, sharp and insistent. He froze. He knew who it was. The music had stopped, the apartment was silent. His heart hammered in his chest. He took a deep breath.

He opened the door to see Mrs. Gable, a woman whose face was usually creased in a smile. Today, however, her expression was tight. He felt his cheeks flush. He’d always felt like a nuisance.

"The volume," Mrs. Gable began, her voice strained. He interrupted, apologizing profusely, feeling each word a further self-inflicted blow. He stammered over his words. He was always putting people out. He wanted to disappear.

After she had left, he looked around at his messy apartment. It felt like his own personal indictment.