Gemotions

He stared at the menu, the words blurring before his eyes. Another restaurant, another set of challenges. He was tired of having to explain, to apologize, to accommodate. He felt the familiar anger bubbling, a bitter taste in his mouth.

He didn't want any of this.

He wanted to be like everyone else, sitting and enjoying the meal, not having to worry about being different. He just wanted to go on with his life, just like everyone else.

He was seated at the table when the waitress asked what he wanted. He started to speak, but he was interrupted by a voice. "He needs the gluten-free menu, too." A woman, sitting across from him, had spoken.

He looked up and saw the other person. They sat with their arms folded, looking at him.

"You have it too?" he asked. The woman nodded, her expression conveying a mixture of resignation and something else, something he couldn't quite name.