Gemotions

The old diner, with its checkered floors and vinyl booths, was a portal for Emily. It looked exactly as it did when she was a little girl with her parents. Her grandfather would always come to see her when she went to visit. The air was thick with the scent of coffee and sizzling bacon, a sensory echo of countless breakfasts with her former boyfriend.

She sat at a booth, waiting for Daniel. He was running late, as usual. She remembered the early days of their relationship, the excitement, the constant texting. Now, their conversations felt forced.

The bell above the door chimed. Daniel came in, smiling. But he wasn't alone. Another woman was with him. The woman looked familiar. He took the booth across from her, and the woman slid in next to him.

Emily felt a strange sense of déjà vu. She realised it was the woman she had seen on the subway.