Gemotions

The afternoon sun, streaming through the office window, felt like a spotlight on Elias. He shifted in his chair, feeling the scratchy fabric of his trousers. Across the room, Chloe, his colleague, was sharing summer stories. The stories were animated and long-winded, and each word was a pressure on his chest.

“Camp Greenwood was the best,” she concluded, her eyes sparkling. “Did anyone else go? I was in the crafts cabin, making friendship bracelets.” She looked directly at Elias.

He forced a laugh, a dry, brittle sound. “Greenwood? No, not me. Never went to camp.” He gripped the edge of his desk, his knuckles white. He desperately wanted the feeling to recede.