Gemotions

He stared at the menu, the glossy paper practically vibrating in his hands. The choices seemed irrelevant, a meaningless distraction from the pressure building inside him. The waiter approached, and he snapped to attention, the words a carefully constructed answer to the questions. He felt the familiar heat creeping up his neck.

He abruptly stood, excusing himself to use the restroom. The small space offered no relief, the silence amplifying the thudding in his chest. He gripped the cold porcelain of the sink, his reflection mirroring the storm inside. He felt a surge of pure, unadulterated… nothing good.