Gemotions

“Jessica Bell?” James looked at the request, the name sparking a memory of playground games and stolen toys. He remembered her laughter, cold and sharp, whenever she made fun of him. It had been years since he had thought of her, but the memories still had the power to make him wince.

He saw her photo – a woman with a kind smile, holding a baby. He thought about the weight of motherhood, the challenges of life. He accepted the request. "Hey Jessica," he typed, "how's everything going?" He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the unfamiliar feeling inside him wash over him.