Gemotions

The sun cast long shadows across the living room as Samuel sank onto the couch. He’d barely touched his lunch, the food sitting untouched on the coffee table. He stared at the eviction notice, the bold print of the words a cruel reality. The building was getting condos. He swallowed hard.

He thought of the community he had found here, the shared laughter, the quiet evenings, the sense of belonging. All gone. He closed his eyes, his chest aching. He felt an emptiness, a loss he couldn't name.

He picked up a photo from the coffee table, a picture of him and his neighbors, laughing in the courtyard. The image blurred with tears.