Gemotions

The old treehouse still stood, branches groaning in the wind. He'd painstakingly rebuilt it, a shrine to their shared past, to his enduring feelings. He found her standing beneath it, gazing up, a wistful expression on her face. He walked toward her, hoping to share the memory, a secret of their bond.

“Remember this?” he asked, a hopeful tremor in his voice.

She turned to him, her eyes clouded. “I’ve always loved this tree,” she said, her voice soft, "but I don’t know why." A confused look came over her features. He felt his stomach drop.

He pointed to the rickety wooden ladder. “We used to spend hours up there.”

She shook her head, a smile playing on her lips. "I’m sure it's lovely, but I don't recall anything." He felt a coldness creep over him, settling in his bones, his spirit. He turned away and walked, leaving her with the tree, feeling utterly alone.