Gemotions

The antique music box, delicately carved and inlaid with mother-of-pearl, sat on Ms. Ramirez’s desk. It had been sent by Liam, a student who had always seemed to carry the weight of the world on his young shoulders. He’d confided in her about his difficult home life. She remembered the sadness in his eyes.

She wound the key, and the tinkling melody filled the quiet classroom, transporting her back to her own childhood. Closing her eyes, she was instantly reminded of the quiet moments when the world felt too heavy to bear.

Tears pricked at her eyes.