Gemotions

The phone vibrated in Liam's pocket, the text message a stark reality: "Party's off, I'm so sorry." He slumped against the bus stop, the cold seeping into him. It was meant to be a celebration for his father’s retirement, a final hurrah after decades of hard work. He replayed the preparations in his mind: the decorations, the cake, the guest list, the speech he'd been practicing. He now had to call all the people who were helping out and tell them the plans were changed, and he shivered. The wind whipped around him, mirroring the hollowness in his chest.