Gemotions

The hum of the fluorescent lights in the office intensified the frustration that gnawed at Elias. He found himself tapping his pen against the desk in a rhythmic, useless beat. The monotony of the routine was a tangible weight.

Old Ms. Periwinkle lived next door, her garden a riot of colorful blooms. She was famously thrifty.

One morning, Elias noticed Ms. Periwinkle’s house being inspected by several contractors. The air in his own small office felt suddenly thin and stale.

Soon, a gleaming swimming pool emerged in the backyard, followed by a professional landscaper, and new features. A feeling of dread took hold of Elias, a cold knot in his stomach.