Gemotions

He walked the familiar route to school, the trees now bare, mirroring the emptiness inside him. Mr. Miller struggled to maintain a semblance of normalcy, his smile strained, his words hollow. He felt like he was wading through treacle. His mailbox was stuffed.

A small package had arrived, addressed in a familiar hand. It was from Ashley, a student he had mentored in his youth. Inside was a small, clay figurine of a dog, made by Ashley in her childhood. She had always loved dogs. He clutched it tightly, a single tear escaping.