Gemotions

"Across the country?" Sarah repeated, her voice thin. She sat on the park bench, the late afternoon sun warm on her face, but she felt a chill deep in her bones. Liam had just told her, casually, as if saying he was changing his brand of coffee, that he was leaving for Boston. The branches of the oak tree seemed to sway, and the world tilted slightly.

She picked at a loose thread on her jeans, her fingers clumsy and numb. She couldn't meet his eyes, the vibrant green of the grass seemed to pulsate, making her vision swim. A couple walked past, hand in hand, oblivious. Liam was talking, explaining about opportunity, about a better life. She heard his words, but they didn't penetrate.

She took a shaky breath. "When…when are you leaving?" She finally asked, her voice a mere whisper. He looked at her, his expression a mixture of surprise and concern. She closed her eyes.