Gemotions

He shifted in his seat, the leather digging into the back of his legs. James was listening to his best friend, Ben, talk about their college road trip. Ben described a wild adventure, a time of freedom and unforgettable moments.

James felt a hollowness he couldn't explain. He'd been worried the entire time, constantly calculating the costs, and feeling the weight of impending responsibility. The joy Ben spoke of was a thing he'd missed. He kept tracing patterns on the table with his fingertip.

Ben laughed, recounting a specific incident of reckless abandon that James remembered with sharp embarrassment. It seemed, to him, a disaster. To Ben, it was hilarious. He wondered if he'd imagined the trip entirely.

"Do you remember…?” Ben asked, still chuckling, and James’s throat closed up.