Gemotions

He sat on the worn wooden bench in the park, the crisp autumn air carrying the scent of burning leaves. A familiar ache settled in his bones, a feeling of gentle sadness. He pulled his phone from his pocket, the screen reflecting the late afternoon sun. He wanted to call his brother, talk about the old days. Instead, he found himself composing a text: "Remember building forts in the woods?" He hit send, horrified as he saw the message was going to his high school history teacher. A blush spread across his cheeks.