Gemotions

The aroma of pizza and the boisterous laughter of the team filled the room. Coach Jones found himself standing in the doorway, observing the scene. It was team dinner, a tradition he usually loved. But tonight, a black hole seemed to have opened up in his chest. Earlier, he had cut Brian, a kid who never really gelled with the group, and a profound sadness washed over him as he saw the team's easy connections. He excused himself, citing paperwork, a flimsy pretense for the feeling that consumed him.