Gemotions

The locker room, usually a vibrant chaos of laughter and pre-game jitters, felt eerily silent. Coach Lawson walked towards where David sat hunched on the bench, his shoulders slumped. He felt a pang in his gut, a familiar sensation when he was forced to inflict this kind of pain.

He recalled David’s enthusiasm, his willingness to learn, the way he always encouraged his teammates. He had seen the kid’s face light up with every successful play. He wanted to tell him that he appreciated him, that his effort had not gone unnoticed.

He paused, knowing the words wouldn't undo the hurt. He sat down beside David, a gesture meant to convey solidarity. The space around them felt charged, heavy with unspoken emotions.

“David,” he said softly, avoiding his gaze. He kept it short and to the point, avoiding the trite phrases he knew David was tired of hearing. He tried to make his voice sound steady, but it wavered.