Gemotions

Liam stared at the email, the words blurring. He'd imagined this day, but never believed it would come. Across the country, away from him? He picked up the phone, and his thumb hovered over Maya's number, but he dropped it back onto the table. He wasn't going to beg. He wouldn't plead. He picked up his guitar, a gift from his friend. He usually played for her, but today it was different.

His fingers clawed at the strings, a discordant sound filling the room. He knew all her favorite songs. He would play them until his fingers bled, but he wouldn't dedicate a song to her. He’d start writing a new song, a bitter tune about the desert, the ocean, and the stupid job that was stealing her away. He strummed the guitar harder.

He would build his own damn bonfire in the back yard, and stand there, and not look back.