Gemotions

The coffee shop buzzed with chatter, the aroma of roasted beans filling the air. David couldn't concentrate on his book; the words swam before his eyes. He tapped his foot, his gaze darting from person to person, seeking some kind of distraction. He felt an intense need to escape.

A woman nearby, engrossed in her laptop, abruptly shut it and turned to him. "Have you ever felt…like this?" she asked, her voice low. She held out her hand, revealing a fingernail that had a unique ridge.

David looked down at his own hand. The same anomaly was present. A spark of connection, of shared bewilderment, passed between them.