Gemotions

The inflatable pool in his backyard looked ridiculous. He'd envisioned a tropical paradise, complete with cocktails and sunshine. The reality, however, was a cloudy day, a few hesitant guests, and a palpable sense of anticlimax. Liam's beach bonfire raged just down the street.

He splashed around in the shallow water, feigning enjoyment, but his smile felt brittle. He noticed the guests huddled in small groups, whispering. He kept scanning the horizon, hoping for reinforcements.

When a sudden gust of wind blew a pool float into the neighbor’s yard, he felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him. He knew he was the only one caring about how this looked.