Gemotions

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee, usually a comfort, now churned her stomach. Sarah stared at Michael, who was regaling the table with a story about a high-stakes deal he’d supposedly brokered. The vibrant details, the assertive tone – it all felt like a smear on the crisp white tablecloth. She felt a knot tighten in her gut. He’d told her he was a corporate lawyer. Turns out, he was a… a clerk at a public library.

Sarah pushed her untouched croissant away. The flaky pastry suddenly appeared revolting. She couldn’t meet his eyes, instead focusing on a distant painting on the wall, a pastoral scene that now seemed to mock her. The air in the cafe felt thick and stale.

“So, what do you think, Sarah?” Michael asked, his voice booming. She flinched, the sound grating.

“That’s… fascinating,” she managed, her voice thin and brittle. The words felt like they were coated in something sticky, something unpleasant. She wanted to be anywhere but there.