Gemotions

Ms. Evans stared at the blank screen of her computer, the cursor blinking like a malevolent eye. She was supposed to be writing lesson plans. She had fallen further and further behind. The more she tried to focus, the more her thoughts seemed to scatter. The walls of her apartment were closing in.

A small package, wrapped in colorful paper, sat on her desk. She’d found it that morning. No name, no return address. A mystery. She picked it up and ripped it open, a gesture of impatient frustration.

Inside, was a small, ceramic owl, its eyes wide and knowing. It was sculpted by one of her students, Daniel. She remembered him. The owl stared back at her. She felt like it was silently asking her to remember.