Gemotions

The afternoon sun, usually a source of comfort, now seemed to glare through the blinds, amplifying the stuffiness of the small office. Mark watched as the new hire, Jessica, clicked away at the keyboard, her fingers moving with surprising speed.

He ran a hand through his hair, a nervous gesture he hadn’t noticed before. He felt a need to keep his back to the wall. He was always on the go, making sure the job was done, but now he felt as though the job was going to be done without him.

"So," Mark began, his voice tight, "the client files are organized by..." He trailed off, realizing he couldn't remember the exact filing sequence. He found himself avoiding eye contact, focusing instead on the dust motes dancing in the sunlight. It was a chore, explaining his process.