Gemotions

The fluorescent lights of the teacher's lounge hummed, a dull soundtrack to Mrs. Chen's simmering irritation. She took a forceful drag from her lukewarm coffee, the bitterness doing little to soothe the turmoil churning in her stomach. Another parent's complaint about her grading policy. Another battle lost.

A brightly colored envelope lay on her table. A return address, surprisingly, from David, a student who'd been a real handful. She gripped the envelope, her knuckles turning white. He’d barely passed her class. Did he think she’d forgotten his constant disruptions?

She tore open the envelope. A hand-drawn card, depicting a clumsy stick figure holding a bouquet of flowers. Inside, a short, awkward message of gratitude. She tossed the card in the trash. The audacity!