Gemotions

"Are you serious?" Mark's voice cracked. He slammed his fist on the kitchen counter, the ceramic mug he'd just filled with tea jumping in its saucer. His friend, Sarah, flinched. "They canceled? After all the work I did?" The words, a jumble of disbelief and something akin to a tight, hollow ache, echoed in the otherwise quiet apartment. He kicked at a stray newspaper lying on the floor. His carefully planned speech, the meticulous gift he’d chosen, now felt… pointless. He grabbed his coat, muttering something about needing some air, and stomped out, the slam of the door a final, resounding note in the silence.