Gemotions

The clatter of silverware and the buzz of conversation were a cacophony. She sat at the head table, the honored guest, a smile plastered on her face that felt brittle. The setting sun cast long shadows across the room, mimicking the long shadow of expectations.

Her father had always been her hero. Her mother, her guiding light. And yet, tonight, the weight of their approval felt unbearable. She felt an invisible net around her, a sense of restriction with every well-meaning glance.

She looked at her notes, the carefully crafted phrases on the page. She knew the speech by heart. It was a well-rehearsed performance, the final act in a play written long ago.