Gemotions

The gate agent's monotone voice announced a four-hour delay. Mark, a veteran of countless business trips, merely sighed, a familiar weariness settling over him. He had to be in Chicago for the board meeting, or else. His promotion, his career, everything was at stake.

Then, a further, indefinite delay.

He felt a peculiar sensation. A lightness in his chest, a lightness in his stride as he walked. He paused, looking out the window at the endless runway. The meeting was important, but he'd been working himself into the ground. He realized he could stay. He could catch up on sleep. He could spend time with his family.

He practically leaped up and down. He started sending text messages, rearranging his schedule. His wife would be overjoyed. His son would be ecstatic.