Gemotions

Coach Reynolds sat at his desk, the flickering fluorescent lights casting an unsettling glow. He reread the list, the names, the justifications. His head throbbed. He’d made the cuts, but the aftertaste of them was bitter. He thought of Ethan, a player whose love for the game was infectious.

He focused on Ethan's face, earnest and full of enthusiasm. He remembered his own experience, the pain of rejection. It felt like a punch to the gut. This felt wrong, inherently wrong.

He heard a knock on the door, and Ethan’s voice called out. He could hardly breathe. He wanted to turn and flee, but he remained seated.