Gemotions

The summons arrived on a Tuesday, nestled amidst bills and coupons. Mark crumpled the invitation in his hand, a frustrated groan escaping his lips. He tossed it into the trash, only to retrieve it a moment later. A grimace twisted his features.

He went to the mirror, stared at his reflection, as if seeing an unfamiliar face. He tugged at his thinning hair, a gesture of helplessness. The years had not been kind.

His thoughts raced. He would be judged. He would be compared. He would be found wanting. They’d all moved on, achieved their dreams. What would they think when they saw what he had become?