Gemotions

The bus ride to the away game was always a rowdy affair, but for him, it was soothing. He let his head roll against the window, watching the familiar landscape blur past. He knew the route, every bend in the road, every billboard. The steady rumble of the engine was a lullaby. The shouts of his teammates, the smell of pizza from the back, all were familiar comforts. He closed his eyes.

The coach called his name over the din. He was sitting at the front, with a look he had not seen before.

“Hey, come sit over here with me, will you?”