Gemotions

The sunlight seemed too bright, the restaurant too loud. Sarah tapped her fingers on the checkered tablecloth, a frantic rhythm against the backdrop of lunchtime chatter. She’d envisioned this moment for years, reliving the summers, the shared secrets, the laughter that rang through the childhood air. Now, staring at Emily, the woman across the table, her heart felt like it was doing a bizarre acrobatic feat in her chest.

"The time capsule!" Sarah exclaimed, the words bursting from her like a champagne cork. Emily blinked, looking genuinely perplexed. “Time capsule? Oh, gosh, I don’t…” she started. Sarah could feel a tremor starting in her hands.

The air around Sarah felt thick, almost viscous, making it hard to breathe. Her vision swam. She grabbed her water glass, taking a long, hurried gulp. It didn’t help.