Gemotions

The restaurant buzzed with laughter and celebration. Across the table, Mark, her old college roommate, was being feted for his new restaurant, the *Gastronomy Garden*. Everyone was excited. She had helped Mark during his first couple of years, with menus, with recipes, with all the hard work. He had promised to include her in the opening, to at least mention her.

The food was exquisite, but all she could taste was bitterness. Mark, charming and charismatic, was the toast of the town. Her contributions were completely forgotten. She felt a growing unease, a tightening in her chest.

She forced a smile, offering congratulations as if nothing was wrong. As soon as she could, she excused herself, the noise and the joy of the room becoming unbearable. She went to the restroom to breathe.