Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows of the small pub, mirroring the turmoil in Amelia’s soul. She’d been ready to walk away from music completely, the rejection, the doubt, the endless struggle a weight she couldn’t bear. Then, she heard the opening bars. Her song, "Broken Bridges," a song she had almost entirely forgotten, was pouring out of the jukebox.

A group of rowdy men were singing along, off-key but with gusto. The bartender, a woman with kind eyes, saw Amelia's face change and quickly turned the volume down. Amelia rushed forward, ready to intervene, but the faces of the pub-goers were full of something close to joy.

As they stumbled through the chorus, a wave of something strong washed over Amelia. When the song ended, she found herself buying the group a round of drinks. She wanted to share their happiness, to let them know how much that song, and their appreciation, meant. She couldn't help but smile, a genuine, radiating smile.