Gemotions

The reviews kept coming. Each glowing paragraph, each enthusiastic quote, felt like a physical blow. James had poured his heart and soul into his grandmother's chili recipe. Now, a celebrity chef was taking all the credit for "Chef Alessandro's fiery Tex-Mex." He'd been reduced to a footnote, a forgotten origin.

He avoided his friends. He couldn’t bring himself to answer the phone. He spent his days in the garage, tinkering with his old car, the rhythmic clang of the wrench a futile attempt to drown out the internal turmoil. The taste of salt seemed to be constantly in the back of his throat. He couldn't shake this feeling, this profound sense of injustice.