Gemotions

He sat on the park bench, the vibrant colors of the autumn leaves seeming to mock his internal emptiness. The sky was a washed-out grey, mirroring the dull ache in his chest. He hadn't touched his lunch, a sandwich he'd brought with him, it sat uneaten on the bench beside him.

The letter lay unopened in his pocket. He'd been carrying it around for days, the weight of its unseen contents a constant burden. He watched the children playing, their laughter a cruel reminder of the joy he seemed incapable of feeling. He reached into his pocket and slowly pulled out the envelope. He ran his thumb across its surface, feeling the paper’s cold resistance. He felt a deep, profound sadness, a sensation that had settled in the deepest parts of his being.