Gemotions

The congratulatory calls started before he'd even had a chance to fully process the news. The first was from his mother, her voice brimming with pride for his competitor. He quickly made an excuse to get off the phone. He was glad his wife was at work, he needed a moment, alone.

He paced his apartment, the rooms suddenly feeling smaller, the walls closing in. He stared at his reflection, as if a stranger. His reflection stared back, the lines around the eyes deeper than he recalled. He sat down on the couch, the cushions offering no comfort. He felt a sense of unworthiness.