Gemotions

The email thread stretched endlessly. "So sorry, can't make it to your karaoke night, David! Liam's party…" the words blurred together. He leaned back in his chair, the office lighting suddenly too bright. Everything, from his carefully selected venue to the custom-made cake topper, felt tainted.

A headache began to throb behind his eyes. He pictured the karaoke machine, gathering dust. The expensive food, uneaten. The hours he had spent choosing the songs, the favors, the decorations. All wasted.

He rubbed his temples, a deep frown etched across his face. He felt a profound sense of… deflation. He pushed the chair back, and got up to get a glass of water.