Gemotions

He stared at the email on his phone. The subject line, “Update on Peter,” made his stomach lurch. He knew what was coming. Peter, the supposed astrophysicist, had been working at a car wash. He felt his face flush with heat.

He ran a hand through his hair, tugging at the strands. The words blurred before his eyes. He felt a sudden urge to flee, to disappear.

He looked around the office, at his colleagues, and suddenly felt like an imposter himself. He quickly closed his laptop, and made his excuses.