Gemotions

“A fountain pen,” Miss Abernathy sneered, turning the sleek, gold-nibbed instrument over in her hand. The gift was from Sarah, the student who had, throughout their entire time together, claimed she had dyslexia, and yet excelled at everything she did. It was a pointed reminder of all the battles that had been fought in her classroom.

The pen was exquisite, far more luxurious than anything she owned. The accompanying card was dripping with flattery. She tossed the pen onto her desk, where it clattered against a stack of ungraded essays.

She remembered all the excuses, the late assignments, the tearful pleas for extensions. It was a performance, a manipulative act, and this gift was the final curtain call. She considered throwing it in the bin, but she could not. She’d have to find a good use for it.