Gemotions

The relentless tick-tock of the grandfather clock in the hallway was a relentless drumbeat against Leo’s skull. He rested his chin on his palm while his best friend, Finn, was talking about their road trip to the coast. Finn was saying how beautiful the drive was.

“We were flying with the windows down, the wind whipping through our hair! Pure freedom!” Finn exclaimed, his eyes shining with remembered joy.

Leo closed his eyes for a moment. He recalled the trip, but his recollections centered on the relentless, monotonous drone of the engine, the sun beating down on the car, the nagging hunger. He found it difficult to focus. "I mostly remember the heat," he said finally, his voice barely a whisper. He wanted very much to recline in a dark room.

Finn gave him a quizzical look. "The heat? It was perfect! You seemed out of it the whole time, actually."