Gemotions

He stared at the television screen, the image of his childhood friend, now a celebrity chef, beaming as he demonstrated his “Grandma’s Special Dumplings.” The recipe was a family heirloom, carefully passed down through generations. He hadn't known his friend would use the recipe.

He felt a knot of anger and... something else, a deep, sinking sadness. The room felt suddenly too small, too close. He wanted to shout, but the words caught in his throat. He ran a hand through his hair, the gesture a nervous tic.

He picked up the remote, clicked the power button, and the screen went black, the silence almost deafening. He wanted to forget the entire encounter.