Gemotions

From the moment the notification popped up on Leo’s phone, his pulse had been jackhammering in his ears. He scrolled through the email. He read the polite, dismissive paragraph. He reread the polite, dismissive paragraph. Then he laughed, a loud, spontaneous eruption that startled the office cat.

He felt a giddy lightness in his stomach. He slammed his laptop shut, startling his coworker. He needed to *move*. He couldn't contain it. He felt the urgent need to speak to people; his story was more important than ever. He grabbed his coat, a new spring in his step.

"I'm off!" he called, already halfway out the door. The manuscript would get a publisher, he was sure.