Gemotions

"Almost there!" Marco announced to his dog, Buster, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. His plan was to show Buster the tree he had planted so many years ago. It had been his first act of…well, responsibility. He had been looking forward to a perfect afternoon.

The empty spot shocked him, a harsh contrast to the imagined scene. His steps faltered. What was this? He ran forward, then stopped. He bent down, touching the rough wood with a hesitant hand. This did not sit well with him. Not at all.

Marco pulled away, a knot forming in his stomach. The park suddenly seemed…less inviting. Buster, sensing the change, whined.

He reached down to scratch behind Buster's ears, trying to recover a little bit of what he had felt before.