Gemotions

John felt a dull ache in his bones as he leaned back in his chair. He’d been staring at the computer for hours, tracing the contours of the house in the online listing. The corners of his eyes felt gritty, as if sandpaper had been rubbed across them. The photos, showcasing the freshly painted exterior, felt like a dream.

He had meant to look up the price. Instead, he was fixated on the front porch, remembering the creak of the swing, the summer evenings spent watching fireflies. His fingers felt sluggish as he scrolled down. The words on the screen seemed to swim and blur. He rested his chin on his hand, the metal edge of the desk biting into his cheek.

"Just a few more minutes," he mumbled, his voice thick and low.