Gemotions

He hummed a jaunty tune as he logged into his accounts. The flickering screen, the glow of the monitor, seemed to brighten in response to his mood. The message, nestled amidst the clutter of notifications, was a welcome sight. It read, “Surprise Party Cancellation – [Relative’s Name].”

A low chuckle rumbled in his chest. A little wiggle. Good.

The thought of the ordeal, the forced conviviality, the endless small talk, evaporated like mist in the morning. He leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms above his head, a slow, expansive movement. The tension in his shoulders melted away.