Gemotions

The gate agent's words, "delayed indefinitely," hit David like a punch to the gut. His band was slated to play their biggest gig tonight, a showcase that could make or break them. His bandmates were already en route. But, unexpectedly, as disappointment flooded his consciousness, so did a surge of something else.

He walked over to the airport's grand piano, usually locked away, but today, miraculously, accessible. He sat down, fingers hovering over the keys. The initial chords emerged slowly, tentative, then gained power as the music poured from him. He closed his eyes, his emotions finding their voice in the rhythm and melody.

He played for hours, each note a release, a defiant act of creation against the crushing weight of circumstance. Passersby stopped to listen, their faces reflecting the raw emotion he was pouring into his music. He played until the delayed flight announcement rang out, but he barely heard it.