Gemotions

The email arrived, the subject line a cold, impersonal dismissal. "Not the right fit." David reread the words until they blurred. His stomach churned. He wanted them to feel the sting of his pain.

He deleted the file from his computer, but not before he'd printed several copies of the manuscript. He found a local bookstore that housed their books. On the back of each copy of the book by the editor's favorite author he wrote: "Avoid!"

He went back the next day, and found the books untouched. He smiled, a genuine, and unfamiliar smile.