Gemotions

He saw her across the crowded supermarket, a flash of recognition in his eyes that quickly faded. “Do I know you?” he asked, the words polite but detached. A wave of heat washed over Liam, making his skin prickle. He fumbled with the basket, dropping a can of tomatoes that clattered against the tiled floor. He knelt, scooping up the mess, his hands shaking.

The familiar scent of laundry detergent filled his nostrils, an aroma that should have soothed him, but instead tightened his chest. He felt as though he was falling, that there was no footing anywhere. His voice caught in his throat. He mumbled an excuse, a hasty retreat into the bustling aisles.

He darted behind a display of cereal boxes, pressing himself against the cardboard. The bright colors swam before his eyes. He imagined her, a silhouette in the grocery store, searching, unsure. He wanted to call out, to remind her, but his tongue felt heavy, as if made of lead. He remained pinned, a silent prisoner in the fluorescent glare.