Gemotions

The address. It leaped out at him from the search results. He had to click. The listing’s photos showcased a house unrecognizable to him, a hollow shell of his youth. A physical ache spread through his midsection.

He recalled climbing the old oak tree in the front yard. He thought about the smell of his mother’s perfume as she made the beds. He remembered the way the sunlight would illuminate the dust motes dancing in the air. His feelings intensified. He felt his hands begin to shake.

The description was full of real estate jargon. "Open concept," "luxury upgrades," "prime location." He felt no joy, only a deep sense of displacement. He felt the place had been stolen from him.