Gemotions

He was staring at his phone, re-reading the text message. It was a simple, polite response from Jennifer, his childhood neighbor, after he'd reached out to her after many years. They had played together in the streets. The message was dismissive. He sat back in his chair, the office around him a blur of activity. His chest felt constricted.

He felt the sudden weight of the present, a heavy pressure that made it hard to breathe. He took a deep, shuddering breath, trying to regain his composure. He didn’t understand how this could happen. It was as if a part of his life had been erased. The city outside, the sounds of traffic, seemed to amplify his sense of loss.