Gemotions

He’d known, of course, that his dad would retire eventually. But the actual moment, the reality of it, hit him like a physical blow. The retirement party felt like a meticulously orchestrated performance he hadn't rehearsed for.

He surveyed the scene: his father in a new suit, the gleaming silverware, the perfectly arranged floral centerpieces. Everything felt…wrong. He'd expected a quiet dinner, maybe a small gathering. Not this.

As he walked towards the podium, he felt a strange pressure in his ears, a buzzing that obscured the sounds of the room. He felt detached, as if watching himself from a distance. The microphone seemed enormous.