Gemotions

The cater waiters' constant chatter was getting on her nerves. The clinking of glasses, the incessant music, it was all too much. She’d rather be anywhere else. She adjusted her dress; it felt like it was shrinking with every passing moment. The well-meaning but tedious conversations with distant relatives were exhausting.

She stared at the podium, a menacingly plain rectangle. The memory of her father’s request, delivered with that infuriatingly gentle smile, was replaying in her mind. “Just a few words, dear.” Just a few words. Easy for him to say.

She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. This was going to be awful.