Gemotions

The late afternoon sun slanted through the window, painting stripes across Mrs. Gable’s desk. A light, airy feeling danced within her. She hummed a tuneless melody as she gathered her grading pens, the plastic clacking a gentle rhythm against the wood. It had been a good day, the kind where the lesson flowed and the kids actually seemed to *get* it. Suddenly, the chime of the office phone startled her. A young woman’s voice, bright as a newly minted coin, chirped through the receiver, "Mrs. Gable? There's a delivery for you."

Moments later, a florist, beaming like he’d won the lottery, presented her with a massive bouquet of sunflowers. Their golden faces practically radiated joy. The card read, "Thank you, for everything. - Liam." Her heart gave a little skip. Liam. One of her favorite students from years ago. She grinned, the joy inside her blossoming like the sunflowers in her arms.