Gemotions

The restaurant was too bright, the music too loud. David pushed his plate of untouched pasta around the table. He couldn't eat. Across from him, his mother beamed, gushing about his "inspiring life story" as portrayed in the book someone had written about him. He hadn't even known the author. Every glance, every forced smile, every congratulatory handshake since the book’s release felt like a fresh blow. His chest felt constricted, making it difficult to breathe. He excused himself, escaping to the restroom where he stared at his reflection, a stranger staring back.