Gemotions

“The opera? Again?” Ben had asked excitedly, already envisioning the stories his friend, Oliver, would tell when he returned. Oliver was known for his glamorous life, his job as a music critic, and his tales of rubbing shoulders with the elite. Now, Ben saw him, not in a velvet box, but delivering pizza, wearing a stained uniform. A wave of heat hit him.

His palms started to sweat. He'd told his wife about this glamorous life. He'd even encouraged his kids to befriend Oliver. He stood frozen, trying to process the discrepancy between the stories he’d heard and the reality staring him in the face.

Oliver saw him and winced. "Ben? Fancy seeing you here."

Ben stared at the ground. He didn't know what to say. His throat felt constricted, and he felt a tremendous urge to apologize, even though he had done nothing wrong.