Gemotions

The grocery store was brightly lit, fluorescent. Leo was just trying to buy milk when he heard a familiar tune – his song “Dancing in the Rain.” He gripped the cart handle so tightly his fingers ached.

The song played over the speakers, a saccharine, upbeat version, completely different from his original composition. He felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead. The other shoppers seemed unfazed, casually picking out produce.

He wanted to shout, to demand they stop playing it. Instead, he stood there, frozen, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. The mundane hum of the refrigerator cases seemed to mock him. He abandoned his cart and walked out, into the gray afternoon.