Gemotions

The pungent aroma of roasting coffee beans, usually a source of pleasure, filled him with a restless energy. He watched Liam, his son, expertly handling the espresso machine, pulling shots with a precision that surpassed his own. The latte art, once his proudest accomplishment, now felt like a taunt.

He had built a life around coffee, a sanctuary of rich flavors and comforting rituals. Now, it was invaded. His chest felt constricted, as if someone had tightened an invisible belt around him.

He turned away from the counter, his legs feeling weak. He needed to be anywhere but there, forced to witness the erosion of his expertise.