Gemotions

From his living room window, David watched Mr. Peterson, his neighbor, emerge from his chauffeured limousine. David scoffed. Mr. Peterson, a man who, until yesterday, David had dismissed as a simple retiree. He had always taken pride in his own hard work ethic.

David found himself staring at his calloused hands. He was, after all, a carpenter. A good one. But the realization that Mr. Peterson, in all his apparent ease, possessed a fortune David could only dream of, filled him with a restless discontent.

He felt the familiar thrum of unease that always accompanied the discovery of someone else's good fortune. His phone buzzed – another unpaid invoice. He ignored it and walked to the backyard. He kicked at a loose stone, and the sound amplified his inner turmoil.