Gemotions

The office felt stuffy, the air thick with the scent of old paper and stale coffee. Mrs. Peterson, her patience wearing thin, glared at the overflowing mailbox. The principal’s insistent emails and endless meetings, had exhausted her. She’d spent the weekend grading papers and she felt emotionally drained.

A small package, addressed to her in familiar handwriting, sat on her desk. She frowned, wondering if it was a prank.

Curiosity overriding her usual reticence, she picked it up. Inside was a hand-knitted scarf, the color of twilight, and a note: "Thank you for always being so kind. - From Emily (your math class, a few years back)." A warmth spread through her chest as she held the soft wool.