Gemotions

The phone call arrived mid-afternoon. “Mr. Carter, this is Dr. Ramirez’s office. We need to… uh… clarify some information.” Michael froze, the phone slipping slightly in his suddenly sweaty hand.

The clarification was that he had a history of violent behavior, a fact gleaned from someone else's file. He was a librarian, for goodness sake! He had never punched anyone in his life. The very thought made his face flush.

He hung up, his hands shaking. He felt a creeping heat spreading through his chest, a burning shame that threatened to suffocate him. The world felt suddenly blurred at the edges.