Gemotions

Arthur, his back aching, adjusted his glasses and continued weeding his overgrown garden. The sun beat down mercilessly, mirroring the heat building in his chest. He hated gardening, but it was all he had left since retirement.

A delivery van pulled up, and the driver handed him a large, ornate box. Inside, nestled in satin lining, was a custom-made fountain pen, engraved with his name. It was from Ben, a student who had constantly challenged his authority. Arthur recognized the elaborate handwriting on the accompanying card.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm the twitching in his eye. The card praised him for "shaping his future." Ben had always been a talented writer, but Arthur had always felt underappreciated. The pen gleamed in the sunlight, a symbol of all the success that he felt he had been denied.