Gemotions

A cold wash ran down Daniel’s spine as he watched Sarah, across the crowded art gallery, greet another attendee with a warm hug and a kiss on the cheek. He'd seen her, after all these years, in a local art exhibition, and built up the courage to say hello. Her eyes landed on him and she'd blinked, a flicker of what he thought was recognition, then nothing. A polite smile that did not extend to her eyes.

He’d approached her, and when he'd introduced himself, she’d frowned, tilting her head. "I'm so sorry, I don't recall ever meeting you."

The room spun a little. It was as if he’d stumbled into a parallel universe, a version of reality where their shared history had never existed. He took a hasty step back, bumping into a sculpture.

He fiddled with the strap of his messenger bag, pulling it up over his shoulder and tugging down on his shirt. The air was suddenly thick with the smell of paint and expensive perfume. He wanted to flee, to disappear back into the shadows. How could it be that she did not know him?