Gemotions

The chipped mug sat heavy in Leo’s hand, the lukewarm coffee doing nothing to soothe his insides. Across the tiny kitchen table, Maya was practically vibrating with excitement. "Imagine, Leo! Fluffy little paws padding around, a happy face greeting us at the door!" Leo grunted, taking a long, slow sip. He stared out the window at the rain-streaked glass, a dark cloud mimicking the one forming inside him. He didn’t want a 'happy face.' He wanted quiet. He wanted calm. He wanted... something other than a constant parade of demands and expectations.

He watched her meticulously select a brightly colored chew toy from a pet store website on her laptop. Each click of the mouse grated on his nerves. He felt a throbbing ache behind his eyes, a tightness in his chest. “I think I'm going to take a walk,” he mumbled, his voice flat. He needed to escape the relentless cheerfulness, the encroaching chaos.

He rose from the table, not bothering to meet her gaze. The apartment door slammed a little harder than necessary.