Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows, mirroring the tempest inside Daniel. He watched Emily pace, a restless energy buzzing around her. She kept glancing at her phone, her brow furrowed, a habit that had become almost constant in recent weeks. The constant late-night calls were another matter, the hushed tones, the hurried retreats to the other room. He’d tried to confront her, but the words caught in his throat.

His own hands felt heavy, useless. He sat on the worn couch, feeling the familiar ache in his bones. He knew he should say something, do something, anything to change this state of affairs, but the very thought was exhausting. He felt small, insignificant. The world around him seemed to be moving on without him.

Later, he found her phone charging in the kitchen. He glanced at the recent calls, the same number appearing repeatedly. He felt a sharp jab of pain in his chest, a sense of crushing defeat. He thought of his own uninspired life and felt the sting of tears.