Gemotions

"The landlord won't allow it, Sam." Daniel's voice was calm, infuriatingly so. Sam felt a restless energy, a need to move, to act. He imagined the way the sunlight would reflect in the water of a fish tank. “It’s small and easy," he blurted out.

He envisioned the vibrant colors of the fish, the gentle swish of their fins. It was a perfect escape from the drab routine of their lives. He felt a tickle in his chest, a flutter. He looked over at Daniel.

Daniel remained calm, listing the rules, the potential problems. Each word was a barrier, a wall between him and the small joy he craved. The room felt like a cage.

Sam’s fists clenched. "We can get around it," he muttered, the words barely audible. The urge to get up and pace was almost overwhelming. It was an idea he needed to make real, to feel that sense of accomplishment. The urge to do something, anything, was almost unbearable.