Gemotions

The old record player spun a vinyl record, its familiar crackle filling the room. Rachel looked at the photographs spread out on the table, images of her and Sam as children, laughing, playing, and sharing secrets.

She found Sam at a local farmer's market. She said, "Sam, it's Rachel, remember me?" He stared at her, his expression vacant. "I'm sorry, no." The words felt like a physical blow.

Rachel picked up a photograph of the two of them, arms intertwined, smiling at the camera. The world seemed to dim. She sat on the floor, the music filling the room, but the joy it once brought was absent.