Gemotions

“Well, here we go,” he muttered under his breath. He hated public speaking, but this was for his mother, the woman who had always believed in him, even when he doubted himself. And yet… the program, with its flattering photograph of his successful sister, felt like a deliberate slight.

He took a deep breath. The room buzzed with conversation, punctuated by the clinking of silverware. He noticed that the photographer was focusing on the other daughter as well. The injustice of it all, that the mother would favor one child over another.

He stood up, the speech in hand. He felt his face burn, but he pushed past it and began. His voice came out high and strained. He struggled to maintain eye contact. The speech was short and to the point and he felt a tremendous sense of relief when he was finished.