Gemotions

Dust motes danced in the afternoon sunbeams slicing through the blinds. “No party?” Mark asked, the word a simple statement, not an accusation. His girlfriend, Sarah, sat slumped on the couch, her face a mask of misery. The surprise gathering he'd poured his heart into planning for her thirtieth birthday was now off.

He crossed the room and sat beside her, not touching. The news had clearly hit her hard. He felt a deep surge of empathy, but it was quickly tamed. "So," he began slowly, his voice calm. "What do you want to do now?" He already knew the answer.

She looked at him, her eyes red-rimmed. "I don't know," she whispered. Mark nodded. He knew from previous experiences that processing grief and disappointment would take a bit of time. He didn't interrupt her train of thought. He would just stay here. After a long silence, he suggested their usual escape: a quiet walk in the park, followed by a meal at her favorite Italian place. He could feel her start to smile.