Gemotions

The old carousel, its paint chipped and faded, still stood in the town square. She remembered riding it with him, the giddy laughter, the way he used to hold her hand. She spotted him, across the square, talking on his phone.

She called out his name, a hesitant whisper that was quickly swallowed by the sounds of the bustling town. He turned, his brow furrowed in concentration. He shook his head, a gesture of uncertainty.

The world seemed to tilt on its axis. She walked away, the merry-go-round suddenly a cruel reminder of what was lost. The familiar knot in her throat made it hard to breathe.