Gemotions

The email sat in her inbox, mocking. A wedding invitation. Amelia knew the sender, even before clicking on the attachment. She’d spent countless hours with Ben in their youth. But Ben had no memory of her. The email was addressed only to her, with no mention of their shared history.

She clicked the invitation. The venue: a luxurious estate. The wedding registry: a list of extravagant gifts. Amelia felt a hot flush creep up her neck. She scrolled through the details, each line a fresh stab. Her own life, by comparison, felt small, insignificant.

She deleted the email. It felt a little better, although the feeling inside remained. But still, the memory of their stolen summer nights, of the promises they made under the stars, remained hers.