Gemotions

He'd been putting it off, but today was the day. He’d finally felt the urge to share with Mr. Ito the results of his experiments. Thomas strode through the bustling marketplace, a smile playing on his lips. His backpack felt lighter than it had in weeks. The stalls, the smells, the vibrant energy of the crowd fueled his anticipation. He was ready to soar. He would bring his finished prototype and show Mr. Ito. He saw Mr. Ito’s quiet stall at the end of the market. It was empty. The usual hand-carved signs were gone, replaced by a single, typed note, taped to the wood: "Retired. Thank you for everything." A strange hollowness opened up in his chest.