Gemotions

Chef Marcus closed the newspaper, the critic's verdict echoing in his mind: "Lacked soul." He felt a tightness in his chest, a familiar pain. He ran a hand across his forehead, and looked around the nearly empty restaurant. He saw his dream crumbling.

He walked over to a small bookshelf, and picked up a worn cookbook. It had been his mother’s. He opened it up and flipped through its faded pages. He found her notes, scribbled in the margins. He remembered the feeling of warmth and home in her kitchen.

He started to cry. Then he walked over to the stove, and began to cook. He thought of his mother's smile.