Gemotions

The late afternoon sun warmed Amelia's face as she waited on the curb, the scent of lavender from the nearby florist shop a gentle caress. She tapped a fingernail against her phone, the rhythmic clicking a counterpoint to the distant chatter of children playing in the park. She was meeting her sister for dinner, something they did every other week without fail, a comforting routine. This time, they were going to Luigi's, their shared haven of perfect pasta.

"Hi, sweetie!" Amelia's sister's voice, bubbly and bright, cut through the air as she arrived. "Ready to gorge on carbs?"

Amelia laughed, a light, carefree sound. "Absolutely. I've been looking forward to it all day." She envisioned the comforting aroma of garlic and basil, the satisfying weight of the warm plate in her hands. The thought made her smile again.

Later, the waitress, a woman with kind eyes and a familiar smile, approached their table with a tray. "Just wanted to let you know," she began, her voice soft, "Luigi's is closing at the end of the month."

The smile froze on Amelia's face. The comfortable warmth that had been wrapping around her suddenly evaporated, leaving a chilling void.