Gemotions

The afternoon sun streamed through the dusty windows as Olivia explored the attic. She was helping her aunt clear out her old house, and the attic held the promise of hidden treasures. In a forgotten corner, she found a cardboard box filled with old photographs and letters.

Amongst them was a letter, typewritten on stationary from a renowned university. She knew her grandmother had been a professor there.

Her lips tilted upward as she read the first sentence: "To the esteemed Chancellor, please accept this formal…” And then the word that sent a ripple of joy through her: “…of my resignation.”

The reasons for her grandmother's departure were a parade of petty annoyances: “…the constant presence of squirrels on campus… the insistence on mandatory lectures… the dreadful quality of the university's cafeteria food.” Olivia suppressed a giggle, completely absorbed.

She savored each carefully worded complaint, the letter’s closing statement, "I find myself, alas, unable to continue in this… establishment,” leaving her breathless with suppressed mirth.