Gemotions

The half-written thank-you notes, ready to be sent to guests, were now worthless scraps of paper. It had all fallen apart. The surprise party for his grandfather, so carefully organized, was no longer happening. The news had come via a phone call from his cousin, Emily.

A wave of dizziness washed over him, blurring his vision. He gripped the edge of the table, his knuckles white. His breath came in short, shallow gasps, as if he was struggling to breathe. He felt a burning sensation in his chest, a tight knot of frustration and sadness.

He rose from his chair, his legs feeling weak and shaky. He needed to get away, to be alone. He stumbled towards the door, his mind racing, his emotions a chaotic jumble. He wanted to scream, to cry, to smash something, anything to release the pressure that was building inside him.