Gemotions

The fluorescent lights of the office seemed less oppressive today. For months, the harsh glare had felt like a spotlight, constantly illuminating his mistakes and shortcomings. Now, as he sat across from the new hire, a young woman with eager eyes, the light felt different, almost…gentle.

He leaned back in his chair, the squeak of the springs momentarily loud in the quiet office. “Okay, so the first thing you need to know,” he began, a genuine smile spreading across his face, “is that you can ignore most of what the handbook says.”

He reveled in the thought of someone else shouldering the weight of the tasks he was abandoning. He found himself more open, more willing to share the truth of his experiences. He wanted this woman to succeed, to learn from his mistakes, to take his place. He was eager to leave, and that feeling felt good.