Gemotions

The gentle breeze rustled the leaves outside the window as I looked over my final draft. Everything, I thought, was finally falling into place. My ideas had sharpened, the arguments solidified. There were no immediate hurdles. A wave of satisfaction washed over me. I felt a pleasant warmth in my chest. I felt a sense of pride in myself.

A notification popped up, a university announcement. My advisor, Professor Schmidt, was going to retire. My joy evaporated, replaced by a cold, hollow sensation.