Gemotions

The news broke as Liam was on his way to his part-time job at the local diner. He stopped dead in his tracks, his legs suddenly weak. He almost dropped his phone. The vibrant autumn leaves, usually a source of beauty, seemed muted, lifeless.

He thought of his student loan debt, the mountains of assignments, and all the plans for the future. He felt a tremor in his hands. He took a deep breath, fighting to keep the tears from falling. He pushed forward, his pace was slow, and each step felt heavier than the last. The diner, once a place of refuge, now seemed to represent a grim reality.