Gemotions

The man’s words were a distant hum, something about sunlight and property lines. The cherry blossom. He remembered the spring when they planted it together, a promise of beauty and renewal. He stood frozen, the harsh sunlight assaulting his senses.

The ache in his chest intensified, a lead weight pressing down, making it hard to breathe. He wanted to scream, to run, to disappear. All he could feel was the echo of her laughter, a ghost of a touch, a memory.

He turned away, unable to meet the neighbor’s gaze. He stumbled back inside, shutting the door with a loud thud that echoed through the empty house.