Gemotions

The diner was almost empty, the late-afternoon sun casting long shadows across the booths. Liam, hunched over a lukewarm cup of coffee, scanned the online publication again, the words mocking him from the screen. His essay, the story of his father’s illness, was now a public spectacle, the details of his family's pain freely available. The knot in his stomach tightened; it felt like a heavy weight pressing against his ribs.

He gripped the mug so hard his knuckles turned white. He had to be careful, he realized, careful of what he said and did. He took another sip of the coffee, letting the heat calm his shaking hands. They would not take advantage of him.