Gemotions

He kept grinning, despite himself. The hall was a kaleidoscope of awkward smiles and forced joviality. He found the entire affair profoundly ridiculous, especially the slideshow of his father's career. Pictures of him with terrible haircuts, wearing ridiculous ties.

He took a slow breath, enjoying the feeling of the tension building within him. The air seemed to buzz with unspoken jokes and anticipated revelations. His sister gave him a look from across the room that said, "Go on, I dare you."

“So,” he began, leaning into the microphone, his voice dripping with playful menace, "Thirty-five years. A lifetime, really. And Dad, I have to say… you look… ecstatic."