Gemotions

The email notification chimed, a small, unwelcome sound. He hadn't checked his email in days. He didn't want to. He clicked on it, knowing what it was before he even read the subject line. His childhood home, up for sale.

He stared at the screen, a knot forming in his stomach. The photos showed a freshly painted exterior, the vibrant green of the lawn almost offensively cheerful. He felt a profound sense of… something. He couldn't quite name it, but it sat in his chest, a tight, uncomfortable pressure.

He wanted to scream. Or cry. Or both. Instead, he simply closed his laptop and put his head in his hands. He felt like he was wading through molasses. The world seemed to slow down, each movement a Herculean effort.