Gemotions

The flickering airport lights blurred through Amelia’s tears. She clutched the worn photograph tighter, the edges soft from years of handling. Her grandfather, smiling back at her, his eyes crinkling at the corners – a smile she wouldn’t see today. His ninetieth birthday party, a celebration she’d meticulously planned to attend, was happening now, miles away. The automated voice droned on about weather delays, but the words felt like a cruel joke. Her stomach churned, a knot of disappointment tightening with each passing minute. She traced the lines of his face in the photo, a familiar ache blooming in her chest, a feeling like a cherished melody interrupted.