Gemotions

He stared at the online announcement, the news flashing across the screen in bright, unwelcome letters. Michael felt his throat tighten, making it hard to swallow. The Gilded Spoon was where he’d taken his wife on their first date, and where they returned every anniversary. Now that memory space was going to disappear.

His breath hitched in his chest as he replayed their happy memories. The soft glow of the candles, the gentle murmur of conversation, the way she would smile at him across the table. These moments, so precious, felt threatened.

He wanted to scream but instead, he felt his eyes prickling. He closed the laptop. The sudden darkness of the room did little to soothe him.