Gemotions

The world felt muted. Amelia walked through the park, her usual vibrant surroundings appearing washed out, the color leached from them. The news, delivered with such breezy enthusiasm by Ben, had left her feeling like the air had been sucked out of the room. His new job, his new life, a thousand miles away.

She sat on a bench, watching children chase pigeons. Their laughter grated against her ears. She pulled her jacket tighter, even though the sun was warm. The familiar comfort of the park suddenly felt unfamiliar, strange.

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a crumpled tissue, wiping at her eyes, feeling a strange pressure behind them. She hated the way her throat felt, tight and constricted, as if it was holding something back.