Gemotions

The sunlight beat down on his neck as Arthur stared at the time capsule. Sweat trickled down his temples. He'd been digging in his yard all morning, following the faded markings on an old map. His wife, Martha, kept chattering beside him, reminding him how he had always loved these kinds of projects, how excited he was to start. He remembered none of it.

He crouched down, wiping his brow with the back of his hand. He dug a hole for the time capsule. It was old and heavy. He paused. Martha beamed at him. He hated the way she was smiling, like he was a child. He finished digging, lifted the capsule into the hole, and set about filling it in.

He straightened up. His back ached. Martha still smiled. He would continue this charade for her. He would not stop until it was buried.