Gemotions

The balloon arch, half-inflated and sagging, drooped like a forgotten promise. A lone, deflated balloon, emblazoned with "Happy Birthday, Liam!" lay in the rain-slicked driveway. Liam stared at it, his jaw slack. He'd envisioned a sea of faces, the joyous cacophony of greetings. Now, only the mournful drip of the eaves and the chirping of crickets filled the echoing silence. He'd been looking forward to this for weeks. His pulse hammered a frantic rhythm against his ribs.

He’d almost walked right past it, lost in thought. His sister, Sarah, was meant to be the master organizer. He pulled out his phone, fingers fumbling. He quickly texted her. *Everything okay? Where is everyone?* The spinning wheel of doom on his phone screen mocked him.

Finally, a reply. *Liam, I'm so sorry. It's... it's off. A family emergency. I'll explain later.* The words swam before his eyes. He felt a peculiar lightness, a void opening in his chest.