Gemotions

“Think of the companionship, Leo!” David exclaimed, holding up a picture of a sleek black cat. Leo just stared at the picture, the glossy image a stark contrast to the dust-covered walls of their apartment. His art, rejected again, sat in the corner, a monument to wasted effort.

David’s smile was infectious. He radiated positivity, always seeing the good. Leo felt a heavy, oppressive mood settled over him. A cat would be a source of joy. He was no source of joy.

The prospect of caring for a cat felt like an impossible task. He could barely motivate himself to wash the dishes, let alone feed and clean up after an animal. The emptiness inside him yawned wide with the thought.