Gemotions

The email arrived like a sudden storm, its subject line a death knell: "Party Cancelled." James felt a rush of… something. A tightening in his chest. A desire to… prevail. He’d envisioned the joy on his grandmother's face. He refused to let this fall apart. He slammed his laptop shut, the sound echoing in his otherwise quiet flat.

He grabbed his car keys, the metal cool against his palm. The world was his obstacle, but he would navigate it. He would find out *why*. He'd speak to the caterer, the band, the venue. He would, somehow, keep the promise.

The drive was a blur of focused thought. Each red light was a challenge. Each detour, an annoyance. He arrived at the event hall with the certainty of a general leading a charge.