Gemotions

A bitter taste flooded David's mouth. He'd imagined the music, the laughter, the joy of finally being acknowledged for his years of service. He'd even picked out a new shirt. Now, the invitation, so carefully designed, lay discarded on the kitchen counter like a crumpled piece of trash. A wave of ice washed over him.

He pushed his chair back from the table, the scrape of wood on the floor a grating sound. The sudden urge to destroy something was almost overwhelming. He stalked through the house, his normally easy gait stiff and awkward. The celebration he craved was simply gone.