Gemotions

The slideshow began, a parade of happy family photos. He squirmed in his seat. Each image, each curated memory, felt like a deliberate slight. His heart hammered in his chest, a frantic drumbeat against his ribs. The corners of his mouth turned downward.

He knew what the speech needed to be: a celebration of his mother's career. He’d worked all week to prepare it. He listened to the introductory words, a carefully selected, glowing introduction. He felt his hands begin to tremble.

He stood, his throat suddenly dry. He cleared it and began, but the words felt foreign in his mouth. He sped up, wanting to be finished, to be done.