Gemotions

The bell had rung, the last stragglers already gone. Ms. Alvarez meticulously cleaned her chalkboard, the familiar screech grating on her nerves. A large, brightly colored box sat on her desk. A former student, Maria. Maria, who had called her "a cold woman" to her face.

Ms. Alvarez considered ignoring the box. She thought of calling security. She slowly walked over and picked it up, trying to gauge its weight. Heavier than she expected.

She ripped open the packaging. Inside was a large, embroidered tapestry depicting a phoenix rising from the ashes. It was expertly made, and somehow she was very angry. She wanted to throw it away.