Gemotions

The morning sun felt warmer than usual on Leo's skin as he strolled through the park. He found himself whistling, a tune he hadn’t hummed in years, and his steps had a lightness he’d forgotten was possible. He’d finally felt the knot in his stomach loosen, the weight on his shoulders lift. He met Clara at the cafe, their usual spot. He was early, which was strange for him. He was a creature of habit but today, he felt an urge to be there, to be somewhere, with someone, something. Clara walked in, beaming. “Hey!” she called, her voice full of a brightness that almost made him flinch. "You look incredible!" he told her. She laughed, a free, easy sound, and settled into the chair. "So do you!" she said. Later, over coffee, she pulled out her phone. "Oh, by the way," she said, "I met this guy last week. He's amazing. We went to that gallery you love." Leo felt a sudden chill, despite the warm sun. He knew that gallery.