Gemotions

The dried petals from the roses he'd gifted lay scattered across the dresser. He'd kept them as a reminder of their shared joy. He'd told her roses were symbolic of love. His gaze fell upon the woman smiling at a man in the restaurant across the street. The roses felt brittle, the scent of the past fading.

The woman was laughing, her voice a melody, at a man's joke. He reached for her hand and she did not hesitate. His chest felt heavy, as if filled with lead. He recognized the laugh, the smile, the touch. The dried petals seemed to mock him, whispering the words, "It's all over".