Gemotions

Joy bubbled inside him, a physical sensation that made his shoulders bounce with every stride. He was going to meet Clara. After all these years, he'd found her. He’d spent countless nights piecing together her life from old photographs and fleeting memories. Now, he would be reunited with her.

He was going to find Clara at the art gallery. His hands felt clammy. He was practically sprinting down the sidewalk, the pavement blurring beneath his feet. He saw her at the end of a long hallway, examining a painting. He breathed deeply, and then he shouted out her name. "Clara!"

She turned. Her expression was neutral. "I am sorry, but I do not believe I know you," she said, her voice even. The air seemed to thicken around him. The gallery lights suddenly felt harsh.