Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows of the coffee shop, mirroring the storm brewing inside Maya. Across the small table, Liam, her childhood confidant, stirred his latte, a vague smile on his face. He'd been charming, engaging, a stranger she’d just met. But when she’d mentioned building forts in the woods behind her old house, his brow had furrowed. “Sorry, I don’t think I know you,” he’d said, his voice hesitant.

A warmth flooded her chest, a kind of ache, at his lack of recognition. She hadn't expected this. She remembered every scraped knee, every shared secret, every goofy inside joke. He remembered nothing.

“Oh, it's nothing,” she said, her voice a little too bright. She reached across the table and gently touched his hand. “You have a nice laugh.” She wanted to leave him with some good feeling. She’d play it cool, act like it was fine. “What are you up to today?”