Gemotions

The air was thick with the scent of lilies and the perfume of strangers. He stood near the entrance, trying to blend into the wallpaper. The bright colors, the cheerful chatter – it was all too much. His father, dressed in a suit he rarely wore, was holding court near the bar.

He watched his father laugh and chat, and his shoulders slumped. The celebratory atmosphere was at odds with the turmoil inside him. He felt a physical pressure in his chest, making it difficult to breathe. The joyful occasion made his situation seem even more acute.

He felt the sting of tears prick his eyes and blinked them away. He should be happy, he reminded himself. But the thought was impossible. He slipped out the back exit, the cool night air offering a small measure of relief.