Gemotions

"Another late night, Mark?" His mother's voice, laced with concern, cut through the quiet of his apartment. He just shrugged, turning away from the glowing screen. He’d spent hours hunched over his computer, trying to distract himself from the dull ache in his gut.

He knew he should be enjoying the success of his new project, but the phone call from David had knocked the wind out of him. David, the "senior consultant" at a prestigious firm? A parking attendant. He’d seen the uniform himself at the weekend.

Mark flopped back against his chair, the plastic creaking under his weight. He’d looked up to David. Admired his ambition, his “savvy.” All a lie. The knowledge felt like a weight, pressing down on him.

He felt a deep and pervasive sense of… flatness.