Gemotions

The coffee shop buzzed with morning chatter, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the scent of cinnamon. Liam tapped his fingers lightly on the table, a habit he only did when he was expecting Professor Davies. He’d looked forward to their Thursday morning discussions on astrophysics.

He reviewed the notes he’d taken the previous week, his mind buzzing with theories. He had a new hypothesis about dark matter to present. He finished his coffee. He ordered another. He gazed out the window, observing the people bustling past.

The waitress, a young woman with kind eyes, brought his second cup. “Are you waiting for someone?” she asked. Liam nodded, and she tilted her head in understanding.

Liam spent some time organizing his notes, writing down his ideas, and considering his arguments. After a time, he had gone through them twice and begun again. Then a familiar figure entered. It was Professor Davies's daughter. She approached his table, a small smile gracing her lips. "Dad's retired, but he left this for you," she said, handing Liam a worn book.