Gemotions

The empty backyard felt vast and empty. String lights, meticulously strung, cast a dim, mournful glow on the grass. The aroma of barbecue, usually a welcoming beacon, was now a painful reminder of the feast that wouldn't be served. He walked slowly around the space, kicking at a stray balloon, his steps heavy. He felt a knot tighten in his throat, and he couldn't quite bring himself to meet his own eyes in the window's reflection. A strange, disquieting hollowness resonated within him.