Gemotions

The brightly colored "Surprise!" banner drooped in the corner of his apartment, a sad commentary on the email he’d just received. The party for his sister, Chloe, was off. “Unexpected family emergency.” He felt a chill creep into him, a coldness that had nothing to do with the thermostat. Chloe adored parties, and he knew how much this meant to her.

He imagined her face when she found out, the disappointment clouding her usually sunny disposition. It was a thought he couldn't bear to dwell on.

He decided he would go to her house. He would take her favorite ice cream. He would listen. He would simply try his best to make the day a little brighter. He found himself picking up his phone to call.