Gemotions

The water cooler was jammed, and Kevin was struggling to get it to work. He’d been unusually tense lately, the weight of his family’s troubles evident in the tight set of his jaw. “Let me,” offered Maria, easily.

She effortlessly fixed the water cooler, then turned to him, her expression soft. “Rough day?” she asked, her voice gentle.

Kevin just nodded, avoiding eye contact. He knew he'd been difficult to work with.

Maria didn't press him. Instead, she said, "I have some extra homemade cookies in my desk. Chocolate chip. Want one?"

He hesitated, then gave a reluctant nod. As they chatted, she asked casually if he had ever attended Camp Skylark. He had. They spent the next hour reminiscing about the old camp.

Later, she found him at his desk, head in his hands. Without a word, she left a plate of cookies and a thermos of coffee on his desk.