Gemotions

The clinking of glasses and cheerful chatter grated on his nerves. He felt a deep, profound sadness. His sister had died a few weeks prior, and his mother had passed soon after. Everything seemed muted, colored by a dull gray. He had written a speech filled with anecdotes and jokes, but now, he couldn’t bring himself to utter a single word.

He gazed at his father, his eyes shining with a controlled sadness. The man still stood upright, he thought. He had to be strong, for his father. He took a step forward, his legs shaky. He had to get through this, to honor his father. He lifted the microphone, his hand trembling so violently that he nearly dropped it. He felt the words fail him.