Gemotions

Chef Chloe felt the color drain from her face as she read the review. The critic's words were barbed and cutting, and she felt the criticism as a personal failure. The review felt like it had been crafted to cause pain. She wanted to retreat.

She found herself, later that evening, sitting at a corner table, watching the last few customers finish their meals. The restaurant was nearly empty. She thought of the young busboy, who’d been so excited about his first job.

She summoned him over. "How are you doing?" she asked, her voice quiet. He looked surprised. He said he was fine, but his eyes told a different story. "I'm sorry," she said. "It's a tough day."

She let him take a break.