Gemotions

The elevator ride felt impossibly long for Robert. He'd just learned that Jessica, the newest member of the sales team, was making more than he was, despite his years of experience and consistent performance. He imagined the lavish dinners, the weekends away, the fancy lifestyle that her salary suggested.

A wave of feeling that wasn’t envy crashed over him. He knew the pressure Jessica was under to perform, the constant demands of the sales world, the relentless deadlines. He pictured her, new to the city, probably navigating everything alone. He thought of his own early years, of the struggle to find his footing.

The next day, he found Jessica struggling with a particularly difficult client. He took a deep breath. "Hey, Jessica," he said, his voice level. "I've dealt with this before. Why don't I give you a hand?"