Gemotions

The room was bathed in the harsh fluorescent glare of the school. Ms. Jenkins adjusted her glasses, the lines of her face etched with a familiar weariness. A crumpled paper bag sat on her desk. She’d been cleaning out her desk, readying herself for the summer break, a break she secretly dreaded.

Inside the bag, she found a small, handcrafted birdhouse. A card was tucked in beside it. A student she barely remembered, a quiet, unassuming girl, now a successful architect, based in another state. The card thanked her for recognizing her potential.

She looked at the birdhouse. The meticulous detail and dedication reflected the career she never achieved. She clenched her jaw, her nails digging into her palms. The gift felt like an accusation.