Gemotions

The venue was buzzing with laughter. Robert leaned against the wall, sipping a lukewarm soda. He hated these sorts of things. The forced interaction. The empty compliments. He’d barely spoken to his father in years.

He knew what he should say, the things they wanted to hear. He’d heard them a thousand times before. He glanced towards the stage. It wasn’t a matter of not wanting to, it was about a feeling that seemed to have no root.

He knew he would stand up, eventually. He would deliver the words. It was the correct thing to do. He drained the last of his drink, then went to fulfill his role.