Gemotions

She stared at the closed door of the event hall, the banner hanging limp and deflated. "Surprise! Happy 40th, David!" it proclaimed, the words now a hollow echo. He’d envisioned the scene a hundred times: laughter, music, friends, a perfect celebration for a man who deserved it. Now, it was just the empty echo of what could have been. He leaned against the cool metal of the door, his breath catching in his throat. He felt the weight of the day settle on him, a heavy cloak he couldn’t shrug off. His hands were clenched. The air felt thick, difficult to breathe. He wanted to run, to disappear, but his feet remained rooted to the spot.