Gemotions

The bustling train station felt suffocating. He’d meant to text his friend, asking to reschedule their pub night. Instead, he’d sent a rambling, incoherent message to his mother. He knew she would be worried, and that she would call.

His phone rang, almost immediately. He stared at the screen, the caller ID flashing her name. He answered it. He braced himself for the inevitable lecture, the concern, the well-meaning questions he didn't want to answer. He spoke, the words coming out in a monotone. He’d do what was expected.