Gemotions

He flipped the letter over in his hands, examining the blank reverse. The words had already lost their power, but the paper itself – the texture, the weight – felt somehow accusatory. He sat at the kitchen table, the manuscript's cover glaring at him from across the table. He took a bite of his sandwich, but the food tasted like ash. He'd poured his heart and soul into this, baring his rawest experiences to the world. Now, the world, through this publisher, was saying, "No." He shoved the remaining sandwich into the bin, feeling a knot forming in his stomach.