Gemotions

He slumped onto the porch steps, the weight of the day pressing on his shoulders. The lawyer had called, the paperwork was finally in order. He owned the place, lock, stock, and barrel. It was a good thing, a fresh start. He pushed the thought away.

He had promised himself a nap. He wanted to feel the cool sheets against his skin, a refuge from the heat. The previous owner had left behind some old photos, tucked away in a dusty drawer. He decided to look.

As he flipped through them, images of smiling faces and happy gatherings began to blur before his eyes. A sudden jolt of nausea coursed through him. He tossed the photos on the floor, the cheerful smiles now mocking him in the dim light. A deep weariness settled into his bones, a weariness he couldn't shake.