Gemotions

The news felt like a physical blow. Thomas, a ceramic sculptor, learned about it from a mutual acquaintance, who had messaged him a picture of a tattoo. The person who had it was someone he had never heard of. His favorite piece, a stylized heron, now adorned another's calf. A hot flush crawled up his neck. He immediately switched off his phone. The world outside, the day, the birds singing, all felt distorted. He slumped onto his workbench, the clay tools looking alien and accusing.