Gemotions

He ripped open the envelope, a violent tear that echoed the sound in his own chest. The words swam before his eyes. He reread the rejection, then crumpled it into a ball, his knuckles white. The air in the coffee shop felt thick, suffocating. He slammed his fist on the table, the ceramic mug rattling dangerously. Patrons turned to stare, their faces blurring. He jumped to his feet, knocking over the chair. “Damn it!” he roared, the sound catching in his throat, then rushing out like a dam had broken. He ran, not bothering to pay, the bitter taste of failure coating his tongue.