Gemotions

The back door slammed shut with a sudden, sharp bang. David paced his living room, his agitation growing with each circuit he made. His son, Sam, had come home from school with a tale: his new English teacher was Mr. Evans. The same Mr. Evans that had made David's school years miserable.

David's shoulders were tense. He couldn’t sit still. The man's words, his harsh assessments, still stung. He remembered the feeling of being constantly inadequate, always falling short.

He ran a hand through his hair, his fingers tangling in the strands. He wanted to call the school, demand a different teacher. He wanted to rewrite his own past. He felt powerless. The image of Sam, facing the same criticisms, filled him with a crushing dread.