Gemotions

The clinking of glasses and the boisterous laughter were like a constant assault on his ears. He sat at the back table, away from the festivities, nursing a glass of water. His father, oblivious to his distress, was regaling the room with a joke.

He stared at the untouched plate of food in front of him. He felt disconnected, as if watching a movie. He couldn’t shake the feeling of being in a maze, lost in a place he no longer recognized. He had a tight feeling in his chest that made breathing difficult.

He remembered a quiet conversation from the week prior, the implications of which were now crystal clear. He took a shallow breath, trying to find some semblance of calm. The room spun around him, a kaleidoscope of faces and noise. He felt like he would be sick.