Gemotions

He sat on the porch swing, the gentle creaks of the wood a mockery of the laughter he had expected. He’d poured his heart into organizing this party for his wife, a celebration of their anniversary. The text message had come just an hour ago: "Emergency. Party cancelled." The words echoed in his mind, each syllable a painful reminder. He looked out at the street, at the empty houses, the silence broken only by the chirping of crickets. The world seemed to have slowed, his senses numbed. He felt suspended, floating in a sea of emptiness.