Gemotions

He stared at the email, the words blurred through a haze of suppressed irritation. It had been a long day, filled with the usual frustrations of his job. But the email, informing him that the therapist assigned to his son's school was *her*, the woman who had made his childhood a nightmare, was the final straw. He crumpled the paper, the sudden motion filled with pent-up frustration.

He could feel his pulse quickening, a frantic drumbeat against his ribs. He felt like he'd been given a huge injustice. He felt the familiar weight pressing down on his chest. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, but his body betrayed him, tensing against the imaginary threat.

He slammed his hand on the table, the sharp sound echoing in the empty room.