Gemotions

The community center smelled of stale coffee and forgotten dreams. Brian found Jake, his childhood friend, sitting at a table playing chess with a stranger. Brian had returned to town after years away, determined to reconnect. He had been planning this moment for weeks. He'd even bought a new watch for the occasion.

"Jake?" he asked, his voice rough.

Jake looked up, his expression neutral. "I'm sorry," he said. "Don't know you."

Brian felt his carefully constructed facade crumble. He felt a burning anger, he had made an investment in this moment and was not going to give up. He thought about the watch, the time he had invested in getting here. He wanted some kind of reward, some kind of acknowledgment.