Gemotions

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee usually invigorated Ben, but tonight it felt like a stale blanket. He felt a dull ache behind his eyes, a consequence of relentless work and the persistent drone of modern life. He was supposed to meet Jessica at their usual cafe. She was almost always late, but tonight, he found himself wishing she wouldn’t show up at all.

Then he saw her. She was already there, sat at a corner table.

Across from her was another man, who looked just as bewildered as Ben felt. "So, you’re…?" the man asked.

Jessica looked from one to the other, her face now a mask of frantic bewilderment.

"Are you serious?" Ben managed, the words tasting like ash in his mouth.