Gemotions

James felt as though someone had punched him in the gut. The invitations, side-by-side on his kitchen counter, blurred before his eyes. His breath came in ragged gasps. He wanted to scream but all that came out was a choked sound. He could feel his face flush, and heat rising up his neck.

He snatched up a glass of water and gulped it down, but it did nothing to quench the dryness in his mouth. His hands were shaking so hard he almost dropped the glass. He slammed it down on the counter, the impact reverberating through his arm. He clenched and unclenched his fists, as if to force the tension out of his body.

He felt a sudden urge to run, to disappear. He grabbed his keys and the front door slammed behind him as he fled the house.