Gemotions

Mark was supposed to meet Ben at their usual spot for a beer, but the text arrived just minutes before the meeting, “Hey, need to talk. Urgent. Can we postpone?” Mark frowned. Urgent? What could be so urgent? He drove to the bar.

He waited, nursing a beer he didn't really want. His leg bounced. He kept checking the time. When Ben finally arrived, his usual boisterous energy was subdued. Ben sat down and uttered, "I'm moving to Colorado." The statement hung in the air, heavy and unyielding.

Mark felt a strange hollowness, a void opening up inside him. He stared at Ben, as if searching for a hidden camera, some sign this was all a prank. His throat felt tight. He took a long, slow drink of his beer, the taste suddenly bitter. He couldn't quite wrap his head around this.