Gemotions

A tremor ran through David’s hands as he gripped the baseball bat. He hadn't touched it since the coach’s announcement. He had always been the pitcher, the ace, the one everyone looked to when the game was on the line. Now, he was being moved to shortstop.

His new glove felt alien in his hands, heavy and unfamiliar. The leather still had that new smell, but it reminded him more of a stranger. He knew he'd have to learn an entirely new set of skills to succeed in his new position. The idea made his chest constrict.

The summer evening air felt thick and still. A low hum filled the empty field, like the echoes of a promise broken. He took a deep, shaky breath, and, slowly, he began to cry.