Gemotions

“Well, isn’t that just lovely?” Leo said, forcing a smile that felt brittle. He scrolled through the Instagram feed, the brightly lit screen casting an unflattering glow on his face. He recognized the design instantly – his, the vibrant abstract piece he'd poured his heart into for months.

The man in the photo, a tanned beach bum type, flexed his bicep. The tattoo was expertly done, the colors popping with an unsettling intensity. Leo felt a sudden, unwelcome heat flush his cheeks.

He tossed his phone onto the couch, the sound echoing in the otherwise silent apartment. His hands clenched into fists. He had planned on using that design on his new banner for his show next month.

The urge to call his lawyer, to protect his ‘intellectual property,’ warred with something even more potent, a raw frustration that simmered in his gut.