Gemotions

“Did you hear?” The words were whispered, a conspiratorial secret passed between coworkers. Liam felt his face flush as he heard them. His grip tightened on the stapler in his hand.

He had just bought a dog. Now he was looking at the costs of dog food, vet bills, new shoes, all of it. He began to calculate in his head, his thoughts a jumbled mess of numbers and anxieties. He was completely alone here.

He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He forced himself to finish the paperwork he was working on, but his concentration was shattered. Every sound in the office – the ringing phones, the clattering keyboards – felt like a taunt, a reminder of the instability that now surrounded him.