Gemotions

"Excuse me, do you know where I could find...?" He stopped, his voice catching in his throat. He had spotted Olivia across the museum, surrounded by tourists, looking at a painting. He had found his way to her and, beaming, started talking. She looked at him with polite bewilderment.

He stared at the masterpiece on the wall, the vibrant colors and intricate details failing to register. The ornate frames and bustling visitors were a blur around him. A profound sadness settled over him, the kind that made his limbs feel heavy. He felt like a ghost, wandering through a world that no longer remembered him.

He felt the familiar sting behind his eyes, a sensation he had been trying to ignore all day. The weight of their shared history, the memories now solitary, threatened to overwhelm him. He turned and slowly made his way out of the exhibit.