Gemotions

The silence in the waiting area was almost deafening. Every cough, every rustle of a newspaper felt amplified in the sudden lull. He sank into his seat, the plastic cold against his back, and felt an emptiness spread across his chest. He clutched the worn photograph in his hand, a picture of his deceased wife.

He was going to scatter her ashes at their favorite beach. He had promised. The plane was late. The sun was setting. The sand would be cold. He felt a wave of despair wash over him, as he imagined the missed opportunity, the broken promise. The thought made him feel like a failure.