Gemotions

"I need coffee," Mark announced, his voice tight. He hadn't slept well. The image of the house, of all the work it would require, swam in his head every time he closed his eyes. His sister, Sarah, was already wandering through the kitchen, humming.

He ran a hand through his thinning hair. The sheer scale of it was daunting. Renovations, paperwork, taxes…it was all too much. He felt a sudden, desperate urge to escape.

He found a chipped mug and poured himself some instant coffee. The bitter taste did little to soothe the churning in his gut. He knew he had to face the reality of the situation, but the prospect felt like trying to lift a mountain.