Gemotions

"Another round of 'Grandpa Joe's Gumbo'!" The waiter's voice, brimming with cheer, grated on Michael's ears. He'd poured his heart into that recipe, a legacy from his grandfather. Now, it was being celebrated as the signature dish of a trendy new restaurant, owned by his… ex-business partner. The success was undeniable, but it tasted like ashes in his mouth.

He slumped against the bar, the wood cool against his back. The clatter of plates and the general clamor of the establishment amplified the silence within him. His muscles felt tight, and he stared into his own reflection in the mirror, barely recognizing the weary face staring back.