Gemotions

He bounced on the balls of his feet, unable to sit still. The news, delivered in a hushed phone call from his agent, had electrified him. "The article…it’s out. Excellent reviews. Wonderful, just wonderful.” James ran his hands through his hair, the strands standing on end as if charged.

He'd waited so long. Years, writing in obscurity, submitting to rejection after rejection. Now, his words, beautifully crafted, were being lauded. He found himself tapping a rhythm on the table, a frantic staccato that matched the thrumming in his chest.

The article, "The Paradox of the Prairie," was credited to a well-known ecologist, Dr. Evelyn Reed. A small price to pay, James thought, for literary recognition. He opened another bottle of wine and poured himself a large glass, ready for the evening to begin.