Gemotions

The room was silent, save for the rustling of the document. "And for Thomas," the executor announced, "a lifetime supply of gourmet dog biscuits." Thomas went pale. His sister, Sarah, stifled a giggle. He could feel his ears getting hot.

He had expected something, anything, more substantial. He'd always felt inadequate next to Sarah, the successful lawyer. The words seemed to hang in the air, mocking him.

He cleared his throat. "Right," he said, his voice a strained croak. He kept his gaze fixed on the floral wallpaper, the pattern blurring through his suddenly watery eyes. The thought of those biscuits, all of them, weighed on him. He felt like he wanted to vanish into the wall.