Gemotions

Mark was lost in a blissful state. He had just finished a marathon and the runner's high was still coursing through him. He reveled in the quiet peace of his apartment. He was finally learning to play the guitar. He had been practicing all afternoon. He had spent the last five years cultivating a deep and meaningful friendship with his best friend, Ben. Then, Ben texted him: “Important. Can we meet?”

Ben was standing at the bar, his face etched with a mixture of sadness and exhilaration. “I’m taking a job in Boston,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. Boston. The news hit Mark like a punch to the gut. The world seemed to spin. The guitar, suddenly, felt heavy, useless. He swallowed, struggling to find his voice.