Gemotions

He stared at the photograph, the old Polaroid picture of them playing in the dirt. He felt a throbbing sensation in his temples. He’d found her, Lily, at a conference, and his heart had leaped when he saw her. He'd approached her, a knot of anticipation in his stomach.

"Lily?" he had said, his voice husky.

She looked up, a polite curiosity on her face. "Yes?"

"It's… Mark. Mark Carter. Remember… the secret clubhouse, the time you broke your arm?" His voice started to crack.

She gave a small, apologetic smile. "I'm afraid I don't. I'm terrible with names and faces." She gestured to the people around her. He stared at her, an icy grip around his chest. The room began to spin.

He felt like a stranger looking into a funhouse mirror, seeing a distorted reflection of himself. He quickly placed the photo back in his pocket.