Gemotions

A lump formed in Mr. Henderson’s throat as he read the email. It was from Emily, a former student who’d always been a bit shy and unsure of herself. The subject line read, “Thank you.” He'd spent a lot of time with Emily, helping her navigate some particularly difficult family issues during her senior year.

The email went on to describe her first job, her small apartment, and how she was finally feeling a sense of independence. The last paragraph included a line about how his guidance had made a difference. He reread it twice, blinking away the slight sting in his eyes. He felt a deep sense of satisfaction.

He leaned back in his chair, the glow from the computer screen reflecting in his glasses. He made a mental note to send a simple reply: wishing her all the best. Then, he decided on something more, deciding to send a small, personal congratulatory gift to her as a token of his appreciation.