Gemotions

The invitation to the yacht party arrived in the mail. Michael looked at the embossed card and felt a tightening in his chest. His neighbour, Mr. Harrison, had always portrayed himself as a regular guy, a friendly face, a fellow homeowner. Now, Michael had learned about the yacht, the private jet, the lavish lifestyle.

He crushed the invitation in his hand. The friendly barbecues, the casual conversations about the cost of groceries, the shared complaints about the neighbourhood association – all of it felt like a cruel joke. A wave of nausea hit him.

He felt betrayed, as if a long-held secret had been maliciously revealed. He thought of all the times he’d opened up to Mr. Harrison, shared his hopes and fears, believing in their shared humanity. The knowledge left him with a bitter, sour taste.