Gemotions

The air smelled of honeysuckle and freshly cut grass. Sarah had arrived late. She had seen him. He was seated at a table near the edge of the dance floor. She felt the sudden urge to retreat, to vanish back into the car and drive home. Instead, she took a deep breath.

She mingled. She spoke with a variety of people, laughing and smiling. Her voice remained calm and steady. She tried to think of it all as a social experiment.

Eventually, he approached her. He asked her how she was doing. She gave him a gentle, even answer, and politely excused herself.