Gemotions

The congratulatory cake sat on the table in the break room, a brightly frosted monument to his failure. He could barely look at it. He'd avoided the break room all day, but he knew the sweet treats were waiting for him.

He was grateful the others had left, and he could be alone. He walked over to the break room, and peered at the cake, and the balloons. He felt a wave of nausea, and a sudden desire to be sick. He turned away, and walked past it.

He went back to his desk, staring out the window. The skyline looked drab and gray. The day felt long, and endless. He sat in his chair, and looked down at his hands, and felt the first tears.