Gemotions

The invitation landed on the cluttered kitchen counter, amidst bills and takeout menus. He didn't even want to open it. He knew what it was. A summons to a past he'd rather leave buried. His appetite had deserted him, and he hadn't left his apartment in days.

He felt the familiar knot in his stomach tighten as he imagined the scene: the small talk, the forced smiles, the inevitable comparisons. The very thought made him want to disappear.

He moved slowly, his limbs feeling heavy and unresponsive. He stared out the window, at the gray sky mirroring his mood. The world outside seemed distant, unreal. He didn’t want to go, couldn't go. He wished he could just make it all evaporate.