Gemotions

The doorbell rang. He knew who it was, even before he peered through the peephole. The man from the apartment across the hall. The dance music, again.

He took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. He opened the door and forced a smile, but it felt wooden and unnatural. The neighbor’s face was grim. He knew what was coming.

He closed the door, and the smile faded immediately. He felt a profound sense of being misunderstood, of not belonging. The music, which usually invigorated him, now felt like a liability. He sank to the floor, defeated.