Gemotions

The office was empty except for him, which was unusual for a Friday afternoon. Michael was supposed to be in IT, ready to transfer to the front desk tomorrow. He’d stayed behind to check his emails one last time on his personal account. His desk was bare except for a small, framed photo.

He glanced at the photo of his dad and his younger sister, taken during a company fun run a few years before. His dad had been in the business for 30 years and, just like Michael, had started on the IT team.

The light from the window seemed to emphasize the dust motes dancing in the air. He felt a sting behind his eyes, a strange, profound appreciation for what had been. He picked up the photo and held it tightly.