Gemotions

The alarm had blared an hour ago, but the urge to stay cocooned in the warmth of the sheets had been overwhelming. Now, the insistent pounding at the back door announced the arrival of another crisis. Max, the terrier mix from next door, was back. I felt a profound reluctance to even acknowledge the sound.

When I finally opened the door, a wave of humid air washed over me. Max sat wagging his tail, clearly enjoying his latest adventure. I just stood there for a moment, the world seeming far away, and then I let out a long, drawn-out exhale. "Max," I said, my voice barely audible. "Not again." Retrieving him felt like a monumental effort.