Gemotions

The tiny, chirping sounds were echoing in Leo's head, each one a tiny hammer blow. Sarah was already making plans for the birdcage, for the special seed mix, for the daily cleaning. The thought of those repetitive, high-pitched noises, of the fragility of the creature, filled him with a restless energy that made it impossible to sit still.

He walked to the window, peering out at the city streets below. A single pigeon landed on the fire escape, pecking at something unseen. He rubbed his hands together, the friction a meager comfort.

"It will be so nice," Sarah chirped, already decorating the birdcage. "We can name him Pip!" The name felt like another weight, another unspoken expectation, and his shoulders slumped.