Gemotions

The email was a slap in the face. Subject: Retirement. Body: "Thank you for the years, all the best." Signed, Professor Eldridge. No mention of coffee, no final lecture, nothing. Elias crumpled the paper in his fist, the edges digging into his palm. He stalked the university hallways, the familiar scent of old books and chalk dust suddenly nauseating. He slammed his office door, the sound echoing in the empty room. What a coward, to just vanish! He kicked the wastebasket across the room, watching the crumpled papers scatter like fallen leaves.