Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows, mirroring the storm brewing inside of Daniel. He sat slumped at the kitchen table, the remnants of a lukewarm cup of coffee untouched before him. The world felt muffled, distant.

A knock. He braced himself.

It was Maria, from the house across the street. She stood under the porch, a bright yellow umbrella held aloft. Her voice was cheerful, almost aggressively so.

"Daniel, sweetie! Perfect day for gardening, wouldn’t you say? I was thinking…" She began to outline her plan, but he barely registered the words. He felt his head swim. The thought of anything beyond the immediate present felt like an insurmountable challenge.