Gemotions

The memory of the car crash floated to the surface as they sat beside each other, now decades older. He looked at her. Her recollection of the accident was a tale of bravery, of quick thinking, of heroism. She recounted how she kept calm, how she had helped others. Her description of events was filled with praise for her own actions.

He listened, his breathing shallow, his heart thudding in his chest. His memory was different. He remembered the fear, the helplessness. He recalled the terror, the blinding flashes of light. He remembered the smell of burning rubber, the crunch of metal.

He felt a cold sweat begin to trickle down his back.

"I... I don't remember it that way," he finally managed, his voice cracking.