Gemotions

He felt light, energized. John was practically humming a song as he strode toward the sports complex. He was finally going to see his friend, Ben, coach the professional basketball team he always bragged about. The whole thing sounded too good to be true. He was ready to watch the game.

He was bouncing on his heels as he approached the front entrance. "I'm here to see Ben," he announced to the ticket vendor.

"Ben who?" The vendor looked perplexed. "There is no Ben coaching here. And the team is off-season." The words felt like a punch to the gut, the joy that had filled him dissolving into a strange emptiness.