Gemotions

He stared out the window, at the parking lot, as if escape was possible. The speech. He'd been asked to give a speech. Why him? He considered making a run for it. He’d promised. His family was always like that – expecting things. He wanted to be at home, working on his model train set, not here, in a room full of people.

The waiter asked if he wanted a drink. He waved him away. His stomach churned. He noticed his palms were clammy.

He took a slow, deliberate breath, and turned to face the room. He could see his dad’s proud smile, and he knew he couldn’t leave.