Gemotions

The sunlight seemed too bright, the world too loud. It had been Liam who always handled the phone calls, the errands, the social interactions. Now, the thought of navigating the grocery store alone, of making small talk with the cashier, brought a wave of nausea. She had always leaned, quite naturally, into his ability to navigate the world.

She sat on the edge of her bed, her hands twisting in her lap. The soft comforter felt scratchy against her skin. She had never really learned how to be alone. Liam had always been there to smooth over the rough edges of life, to make decisions, to offer a comforting presence.

She pulled out her phone, scrolling through their countless shared photos. Each image was a fresh stab, a reminder of the easy laughter, the effortless connection, the shared life that was suddenly fractured. She started to cry, unable to stop the tears that poured out as she considered the emptiness stretching before her.