Gemotions

The critic's words, "forgettable," hung in the air like a noxious fume. Chef Javier sat in his office, flipping through recipes. His ambition, once a roaring fire, had dwindled to a tiny ember. The thought of taking on new challenges seemed agonizing.

He felt tired. So very, very tired.

He leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking softly, and closed his eyes. He imagined an empty field, a place where no judgment existed. He wanted to blend in with the landscape. He took a deep breath, and he felt a little less anxious. He thought about canceling service for the evening. Instead, he made a very simple salad.