Gemotions

He stared at the email, the words “Pasta Paradise Closing” blurring before his eyes. It wasn't just a restaurant; it was where he’d taken Sarah, the one who got away, on their anniversary. Now, it was… gone. A pulse throbbed behind his left eye.

He spent the next hour online, sifting through the restaurant’s social media. The owner, a cheerful Italian man named Marco, had posted a heartfelt goodbye. He found Marco's personal email address.

He crafted a reply, a seemingly innocuous note of condolences, but peppered with subtle barbs. He mentioned how much he "admired" the building and hoped the new owners "understood" the history. He hoped Marco would find "success" in his future endeavors. He clicked send, a strange satisfaction prickling his skin.

Later, he'd be sitting across from his new girlfriend, who he knew would never understand his need to send the email.