Gemotions

The concert was beautiful, but for George, it was a blur. His son, Sam, played the trumpet, and George was there to support him. Afterwards, as they were gathering their things, Sam mentioned their music teacher, Mr. Jones. George froze. *Mr. Jones*. The same Mr. Jones who had guided him.

A deep ache settled in his bones. The auditorium began to spin. He needed air. He felt a crushing weight, a profound feeling of incompleteness. He knew a feeling of guilt was rising, a fresh and unwanted reminder of all that he had lost. His breath came in ragged gasps. He wanted to go, to disappear, to be alone with his sorrow. He put a hand on his son’s shoulder, trying to smile, but he felt nothing but a hollow echo of the past.