Gemotions

The silence in the house was a suffocating blanket. Michael hadn't bothered to open the blinds, preferring the dim, shadowy world within. His body felt heavy, his mind a tangled mess of anxious thoughts. He felt drained, the slightest task requiring an immense effort. A call from Ben, a friend from work. Ben, always upbeat, always striving. They were supposed to grab lunch. He hadn't seen him in months.

He met Ben at the diner. Ben, animated and energetic, regaled him with tales of his demanding job at “Apex Investments,” the late nights, the high-stakes deals. He was always one to brag about his accomplishments. Michael picked at his burger, the taste lost on him.

Ben excused himself to take a call. Michael looked around, at the people laughing and chatting, each seemingly content with life. Then his eyes drifted to Ben's briefcase. In the corner, under a layer of dust, he saw a logo. The logo was for a small community college, not the place a busy businessman would be.