Gemotions

The HOA meeting loomed. A fence, the central topic. For Liam, it was another obligation, something to navigate in an endless stream of demands. He’d spent the day arguing with his boss, and the evening dealing with his son's broken bike. His patience was threadbare.

He sat at the table, the papers spread before him, the words swimming before his eyes. He wished he could just shut it all out, tune out the incessant chatter, the demands of other people. He wanted to go home, to collapse on his couch and watch something mindless.

He listened to the arguments, the complaints, the suggestions. His head ached. He leaned back in his chair, trying to disappear.