Gemotions

The phone slipped from David’s numb fingers, landing with a soft thud on the hardwood floor. He didn’t bother to pick it up. The editor’s concise explanation of his manuscript's flaws echoed in his mind, a relentless drumbeat. Crimson Quill, his dream publisher, had said no.

He stared at the blank wall, his vision blurring. He'd envisioned this moment a hundred times, but never like this. He’d pictured them calling him, thrilled. He pictured the book deal, the success, finally achieving his lifelong goal. He felt the weight of that unfulfilled goal pressing down on him.

He felt a deep hollowness, a cavern opening inside him. He slowly turned, walking towards the kitchen and reaching for a glass. His hand shook as he filled it with water. He drank it down in one gulp, the coolness doing nothing to calm his nerves.