Gemotions

The old desk creaked as Leo rummaged through the drawers. He was looking for his father's old stamp collection, but instead, he found a forgotten folder. Inside were school report cards, some old photographs, and a thin, typed letter.

He knew immediately what it was. The opening line was unmistakable: “Dear Headmaster, I hereby submit…” and the reason for the letter: “…my formal resignation.” Leo’s eyebrows shot up. His dad? Quitting?

The reasons for his father's departure were a cascade of small details and petty annoyances: "...the consistently undercooked sausages in the school cafeteria... the tyrannical reign of the school's sports coach... the insistence on wearing itchy wool uniforms." Leo couldn't help the silent chuckles that escaped.

The letter finished with a flourish, a sentence that left him wanting to read it again. "I find myself, therefore, unable to continue in this… institution." Leo's chest shook with silent laughter.