Gemotions

The scent of brewing coffee usually soothed Liam, but today it was a low thrum of anxiety in his chest. He checked the time on his phone – 7:03 AM. Sarah was supposed to call at 7:00. He paced the worn rug in his living room, earbuds clutched in his hand. He’d practiced what he would say; a cheerful, supportive tone, masking the tremor in his voice. Finally, the phone vibrated. He snatched it up, his breath catching.

"Hey, you," Sarah’s voice chirped through the speaker. Too upbeat. He stiffened, his knuckles white around his phone.

“Hey. Everything okay?” he asked, trying to sound casual. But his jaw was already tight, a knot forming in his stomach. He listened, silent, as she explained the new job, the move, the cross-country adventure. He stood motionless, his eyes scanning every shadow in the room, as if something might leap out and snatch her away before she could finish speaking.