Gemotions

The fluorescent lights of the office seemed to hum louder than usual, a grating soundtrack to Brenda’s morning. Across the crowded cubicle farm, David, the overly enthusiastic new hire, was regaling a group with a story involving a rogue rubber duck. Brenda rolled her eyes, feigning a deep interest in the spreadsheet on her screen.

"… and then, get this, the camp counselor – Mrs. Higgins, remember her? – had to fish it out with a net!” David finished, his voice brimming with nostalgia. Brenda’s fingers froze on the keyboard. Mrs. Higgins.

Her stomach tightened. *That* Mrs. Higgins. The one who'd given her the "Most Improved Camper" award, the one who'd smiled at everyone but her. "Wait," she managed, her voice tight. "Camp Whippoorwill?"

David’s face lit up. “You too? Incredible! What year?” He leaned forward, eyes sparkling. He probably thought this was some kind of bonding moment. She hated bonding.

" '98," she replied flatly, returning her gaze to the spreadsheet, its numbers blurring. “I guess we had a… shared experience.”