Gemotions

The hum of the refrigerator felt like a discordant note in the otherwise quiet kitchen. I kept reaching for a glass of water, only to put it back. The idea of a snake, slithering in a glass enclosure, was an unwelcome visitor in my thoughts.

The air in the apartment felt thick, heavy. I ran my hands over the smooth countertop, seeking a grounding sensation. The thought of cleaning up after a reptile, feeding it… it felt like an obligation she hadn’t considered.

I wanted to say something, anything. But the words stuck in my throat, tangled with a rising tide of discomfort. I felt as if the walls were closing in, squeezing the air from my lungs.