Gemotions

The newspaper lay open on the kitchen counter, the headline, “The Emperor’s New Soup: A Culinary Dud,” screaming at Leo. He felt a chill despite the warmth of the oven. His carefully crafted reputation felt like it was crumbling. He re-read the review again.

He slammed his fist on the counter. The metal clanged and he flinched. The weight of expectation, once a driving force, now threatened to crush him. He suddenly saw his career flash before his eyes. He saw the empty tables, the staff let go.

The dining room, usually filled with boisterous laughter and the clinking of glasses, stood silent, mocking, in his mind’s eye. He couldn’t bring himself to look at the staff, the familiar faces who depended on him.