Gemotions

The fluorescent lights of the hospital waiting room buzzed incessantly, a maddening counterpoint to the pounding in Mark's head. He rubbed his temples, trying to massage away the pressure. He’d tracked down Emily, his childhood confidante, to the hospital where she worked. It had taken months to find her. Now here they were. She’d looked at him, her eyes wide with surprise, a genuine smile spreading across her face. Then… the crushing blow. "I'm so sorry, I don't recognize you," she’d said gently.

The air seemed thin, difficult to breathe. He wanted to sit down, to simply cease standing. He felt a profound sense of… disconnection. He leaned against the wall, the cool plaster doing nothing to soothe the heat that had flared up in his cheeks. Every word felt like a physical strain. The beeping of a nearby machine registered distantly. He had to leave.