Gemotions

“Congratulations, Ben!” the manager had said, clapping Ben on the back. It had all been so casual. Lisa, who had trained him for months, who knew the ins and outs of the system, had received no such congratulations. She'd been in the meeting, staring at the screen, and seeing the difference in their pay.

Her vision blurred. The celebratory champagne felt like acid in her stomach. She forced a smile and offered a few perfunctory words, but the smile felt brittle, fragile.

Lisa excused herself, claiming a headache. She retreated to her desk, the room suddenly feeling too small, too close. She pulled her chair close to her desk, her knuckles white as she gripped the desk's edge.