Gemotions

Rain lashed against the window of the coffee shop, mirroring the storm brewing inside of Mark. He watched Sarah across the small table, her face alight as she described her new life in California. Palm trees, sunshine, a fresh start. He pushed his lukewarm latte around the chipped mug, the foam clinging to the sides like a ghost.

“It's going to be amazing, Mark! You should come visit!” she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. He wanted to shout, "Don't you see? You're the one leaving!" But the words caught in his throat.

He forced a smile. “Yeah, maybe.” The smile felt brittle, fragile, like it would shatter at the slightest pressure.

He picked at a loose thread on his jeans. This was his fault, right? He could have done more, said more, been *more*. Now, it was too late. He stared at the rain, the water blurring the world outside.