Gemotions

He’d always held the image in his mind, that stalwart pine, standing tall, a testament to time and the perseverance of life. Richard had always pictured it growing strong, and he had looked forward to the day he'd return to find it towering above him.

He was unprepared. He wasn’t ready. The absence of the tree hit him like a physical blow. The void it left felt unnatural. He stopped, his shoulders slumping. He felt a sharp pang of pain in his chest, almost a physical ache.

He stood there, frozen, staring at the empty space. His tongue felt thick in his mouth, his thoughts a jumbled mess. He had no words.