Gemotions

The old photographs, meticulously preserved, lay scattered across the table. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. She’d decided to try and jog his memory, the only way she could think of. She pointed to a picture of two children, beaming at the camera. “Remember this? Us, at the beach? Building sandcastles?”

He stared at the photo, his face a neutral mask. His hand trembled slightly as he reached out and touched the image, but the reaction was nonexistent. “I… I don’t recognize myself.” The words came out slowly, measured.

She felt a hollowness in her chest, a physical ache. The air seemed to grow thick, heavy. She leaned forward, as if that could somehow bridge the gaping chasm that had opened between them. Silence hung in the air, thick and oppressive.