Gemotions

The email landed with a thud, a digital brick in Sarah’s inbox. Professor Davies, her advisor, was departing for a position at a prestigious think tank. Sarah reread the announcement, her stomach clenching. It wasn’t the news itself, she knew people moved, but the timing felt cruel. She pictured his face, the crinkles around his eyes when he talked about his passion for her research, the way he'd lean forward, truly listening. Now, what?

She closed her laptop, the screen reflecting her own worried face. Outside, the late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the campus quad. Sarah debated going to his office. She pictured it, the stacks of books, the ever-present scent of coffee, his quiet, steady presence. Instead, she chose to stay put, re-reading his email again and again, noticing the small, apologetic tone that she knew he would not normally use.

She decided to make a pot of tea and stare out her window at the trees, letting the stillness of the evening settle around her. She found herself imagining the conversation, his discomfort, his awkward attempts to soften the blow.