Gemotions

The late afternoon sun warmed Mrs. Gable's face as she sorted through the mail. A smile played on her lips, a lightness in her chest she hadn't felt in weeks. Her retirement felt further away than ever, and she found herself humming along to the birdsong outside her window. Tucked amongst the bills and junk mail was a small, square package, addressed in familiar, looping handwriting. She tore it open with a flourish, revealing a framed photograph of a young woman – Sarah, one of her favourite students from years ago. A handwritten note read, "Thank you, Mrs. Gable, for believing in me. I'm doing great things now. Love, Sarah." Her breath hitched.

She walked over to the kitchen and made herself a cup of Earl Grey tea. Steam rose from the ceramic mug as she carried it to the living room, where she had been planning to work on her memoirs. The words seemed to pour onto the page now, easily, almost effortlessly, the memories flowing like a gentle stream. A giggle escaped her lips as she wrote about Sarah's habit of doodling unicorns in the margins of her papers.