Gemotions

The fluorescent lights of the locker room hummed, a monotonous drone that amplified the silence. He stared at his reflection in the tarnished mirror, a stranger staring back. His hands, usually steady, now clenched and unclenched at his sides. He saw his jaw was tight. He thought of the empty space on the roster, waiting to be filled by someone else.

He could feel the eyes of the other players, watching him, wondering. He knew what was coming. The realization had settled in his gut like a cold stone hours ago. He dreaded the words.

He tried to swallow, but his throat felt constricted. He felt like he couldn’t move. He ran the tap on the sink and splashed water on his face, but it didn't help. He was stuck.