Gemotions

The park was deserted. Empty. There was no sign of the picnic blankets, the games, the laughter, the loved ones she had expected. James slowly walked toward the designated spot, a carefully chosen location under a large oak tree.

A crumpled note lay on the ground, held down by a discarded bottle of soda. *Sorry. Something came up.* The handwriting was familiar, but the message was devastating. His stomach twisted into a painful knot. This was not the reunion he had imagined.

He felt the hot sting of tears behind his eyes. He sank down onto the grass, the vibrant green of the lawn suddenly seeming dull and lifeless. The joyful reunion he had dreamed about for years became a hollow, empty shell.