Gemotions

The air in the staff room was thick with the scent of stale coffee and unspoken grievances. Mr. Ramirez sat at the chipped table, the newspaper spread out before him, a flimsy barrier against the world. He was tired of the noise, the pressure, the perpetual feeling of being undervalued.

A package arrived, delivered to the school. Inside, a framed painting. A former student, now a celebrated artist, was the sender. The painting was of a field of sunflowers, a field of sunflowers he could not appreciate. The accompanying note was overflowing with gratitude.

He stared at the vibrant colors, the brushstrokes bold and confident. He felt a surge of… something. He folded the newspaper, the sound sharp in the quiet room. He would have preferred a bottle of whiskey.