Gemotions

He pointed out the best places to get lunch, the quickest routes between buildings, the unspoken rules of the office. It was a recitation of habits, of routines, of a life he had built. He felt a strange sense of loss.

He watched as his replacement, a fresh-faced woman named Sarah, took notes. Her penmanship, her posture, her enthusiasm; it all felt new, alien. The worn leather of his briefcase lay discarded on the floor, waiting to be packed.

“It's not just about the work,” he found himself saying, his voice softer than usual. “It's about everything else, too.” He paused, a strange ache rising in his chest.