Gemotions

He checked his watch again, a nervous tic that had developed since the announcement. John felt a knot tighten in his chest. His father’s retirement party. He’d meticulously planned his arrival, wanting to be the first to congratulate his dad. Now? He was stranded in Newark, the airport a prison of missed connections and broken promises.

The smell of stale coffee and disinfectant permeated the air, a scent that now seemed to embody his current predicament. He shoved his hands in his pockets, resisting the urge to pace. He thought about the face of his dad, who might now think he had forgotten, or that he didn't care enough to make the trip. That thought made his hands clench.

He scrolled through the pictures of his family on his phone, each smiling face a reminder of what he was missing. A deep sigh escaped him. The only way to deal with the situation was to numb himself. He went to the nearest bar and ordered a double scotch.