Gemotions

"Honestly, I don't remember much from summer camp," Claire was saying, wrinkling her nose. Across the fire pit, Mark simply smiled wider. The campfire smoke caught in his throat, but he didn't cough. The woman he'd been in love with since the third grade, didn’t know he existed anymore.

He’d almost choked with delight when she’d failed to recognize him in line at the ice cream shop last weekend. He had to bite his lip to keep a giggle from escaping. It was a revelation. He could be anyone. He could reinvent himself entirely. He felt like he’d been granted a superpower.

"It was so long ago," she continued, her voice soft. The crickets chirped loudly. Mark shifted slightly, his arms resting on the grass around him. He felt an odd lightness, as if he could float right off the ground. He could start over. He thought about the mountain bike he was building in his garage.

He picked up a stick and poked at the embers, a lazy smile playing on his lips. This was better than he could have ever imagined. He had a chance. He had a chance to be new.