Gemotions

The scent of burnt caramel hung thick in the kitchen. He winced, his stomach twisting into a knot. Baking, his solace for decades, had become a minefield. His daughter’s sourdough starter, lovingly named "Gladys," had a cult following. Her elaborate cake designs, featured on Instagram, were legendary. His simple, comforting cookies, once the centerpiece of family gatherings, seemed… insignificant.

He scraped the blackened edges from a batch of muffins, his movements jerky. The timer beeped again, a high-pitched shriek. He ignored it. He felt trapped, cornered. The world felt too small, too bright. He leaned against the counter, suddenly overwhelmed.