Gemotions

The steam from his coffee swirled in the air, a fleeting distraction from the thing on the kitchen table. A gift from a former pupil, a hefty box adorned with a simple, handwritten note. He felt a familiar prickle of unease. He’d barely touched his breakfast, the toast growing cold as his gaze darted back and forth between the clock and the package.

He rubbed his temples, trying to focus on his lesson plan for the day, but his thoughts kept drifting back to the unseen contents. He wanted to know, to understand the gesture. He rose, a sudden surge of restlessness coursing through him. He wouldn't be able to stay still for much longer.