Gemotions

She walked through the empty park, the crisp autumn air doing little to cool the fire in her cheeks. The invitations, so carefully handwritten, were now useless. Useless, like her efforts. The park benches, once earmarked for friends and family, sat vacant, bathed in the fading sunlight. A knot formed in her stomach, tightening with each step.

She’d spent weeks, pouring her heart and soul into this, hoping to finally give her aging father a day he deserved. A wave of nausea hit her as she remembered his excited phone call, his grateful words. Now, the image of his smiling face felt like a shard of glass lodged in her throat.

She clutched her phone, running a thumb over the screen. He would know, of course. He would be wondering why she hadn't called. She wished she had never gotten the message. She wished she had just stayed in bed that morning. Each fallen leaf seemed to whisper a reminder.