Gemotions

The emergency lights blinked, casting an unsettling strobe effect. I felt my stomach clench. I’d been having a terrible week. But then I looked at Kevin, his usual brash confidence replaced with a touch of vulnerability. He was fiddling with his phone, trying to get a signal.

He looked up and shrugged. “Well, this sucks.” The humor in his voice surprised me. I smiled, feeling a surprising swell of emotion. I thought of my dog, Max, and the way his tail always wagged.

I found myself laughing, too, a genuine, joyful sound. It was the best medicine. I was thankful for this shared experience.