Gemotions

The coffee tasted like ash in his mouth. Michael watched Emily, his replacement, navigate the complex spreadsheet with a deer-in-the-headlights look. Her youthful eagerness felt almost painful, a reminder of his own lost enthusiasm. He knew he'd been there once.

He found himself simplifying the processes, creating cheat sheets, annotating the most confusing formulas. He took her to lunch, a deliberate effort to ease her into the team. They talked about movies, music, and Emily's pet hamster.

He noticed how the other employees treated her, their curiosity, their subtle distance. The office felt like a fishbowl, Emily the new specimen. He made sure she had everything she needed. He smiled, offering encouragement even when she made mistakes.