Gemotions

The weight of the day settled on Professor Davies's shoulders like a physical burden. He had spent the morning trying to mark papers, but found his thoughts wandering, unable to focus on the work. The usual intellectual fire that fueled him seemed extinguished.

A large, elaborately wrapped box, arrived by courier. Inside, a well-worn copy of the book he’d been lecturing on, “The Odyssey,” was waiting. His former student had written a short note, which he read slowly, several times. She thanked him for opening her eyes to the world of literature.

He placed the book on his desk. He stared at it for a long while, and a strange sense of well-being enveloped him. He was content to sit and wait.