Gemotions

From the moment I woke up, I was tethered to the bed. I felt leaden, slow. I wanted to stay in the darkness. The thought of seeing Ben, who, as always, was full of energy, was nearly enough to make me call off the meeting. I forced myself up and dragged myself out the door.

I found Ben at the cafe, already in full swing. He was animated, talking about his high-powered job at a large publishing house. His words were a blur of success and achievement. I felt my own inadequacies swell within me as I took a seat.

I listened with half an ear, struggling to keep up with his pace. Then, I heard it. A familiar voice, calling out Ben's name. It was Mrs. Davis, who also worked at the cafe. I watched in a daze as she walked over and shook Ben's hand. "Glad to see you, working on the next project, I presume?" she asked. I felt a surge of adrenaline, and a creeping dread.