Gemotions

The cafe buzzed with Friday afternoon energy, the aroma of burnt coffee a familiar scent. Liam pinched the bridge of his nose, the headache blooming behind his eyes a dull throb. "It's been... twenty years," he said, the words catching in his throat. Across from him, Maya tilted her head, a confused frown creasing her brow. "Twenty years since what, exactly?"

He ran a hand through his hair, the gesture more a frustrated tug. He'd rehearsed this conversation a hundred times in the car, envisioning a joyous reunion, a flood of shared memories. Instead, he was met with polite bewilderment. He gestured at the worn photo he had placed between them. "The treehouse. Remember? The one we built? The secret fort?" Maya blinked, then gave a delicate shrug. "I'm sorry, that doesn't ring a bell."

His jaw clenched. He felt a sudden, inexplicable urge to tip over the table. He took a deep, steadying breath instead.