Gemotions

The critic's words reverberated in Leo's head, each syllable a hammer blow. He stared at the handwritten recipe for the evening's special, the familiar ink lines blurring before his eyes. His hand trembled as he reached for the salt cellar. He missed a pinch.

He kept replaying the meal in his head. Did he season the scallops enough? Was the sauce too heavy? Every detail was now a potential flaw, a potential nail in the coffin of his restaurant. He wanted to scream.

He called his wife. Her voice on the phone soothed him. He told her the review was unfair and that it was no big deal. They could get through anything. She didn't buy it. He knew she didn't buy it.

He walked into the dining area. He felt the weight of expectation with the few patrons present. He felt his face heat up when he saw the diners. It was all a disaster.