Gemotions

The aroma of coffee, normally a comfort, now felt cloying and oppressive. As Emily described her move to the coastal town of Maine, Mark felt a sudden, sharp pang of… something he couldn’t quite name. He found himself looking at his hands, his fingers tapping nervously on the table.

He avoided eye contact, focusing instead on the steam rising from his mug. He felt a sudden, inexplicable urge to flee, to escape the conversation and its implications. His heart felt heavy, as if weighed down by some unseen burden.

He heard Emily talking about the ocean, the fresh air, the slower pace of life, and felt a rush of envy. He felt, for a fleeting moment, a potent wave of vulnerability.

He took a large gulp of coffee, hoping it would help steady him. It didn’t. He cleared his throat. "Maine, huh?" he said. His voice sounded thin and strained.