Gemotions

The heat in the classroom was stifling, the humidity clinging to Mrs. Chen's skin like a second layer. She wanted to scream at the noisy air conditioner. She was in the middle of preparing lesson plans for the upcoming week. A messenger boy arrived, sweaty and breathless. A gift. From whom? She was in no mood for such things. She ripped the wrapping from the package with a furious jerk. Inside was a hand-knitted scarf in the ugliest shade of lime green imaginable. A small card read: “Thank you for believing in me - Michael.” She tossed the scarf aside, the gesture mirroring the internal turmoil that had been brewing all day. Michael had been a constant source of trouble.