Gemotions

The photograph, faded and creased, sat on the dusty shelf. Sarah stared at it, a photo of her and Thomas as children, arms wrapped around each other. She had moved heaven and earth to get to this reunion, spent a small fortune on travel and a new outfit. She wanted a specific outcome.

She'd found him at the reunion, older, but the same warm smile. She felt her face flush.

"Thomas?" she said, her voice catching.

He looked at her, and his eyes glazed over. "I don't think I… I don't recall," he said, and went back to his conversation, ignoring her.

Sarah felt a sharp sting. She thought about the time and energy she had invested in getting here. She felt a burning need to be seen, to be acknowledged. She suddenly wanted to buy something, anything, to make her feel like this wasted trip had been worth it.