Gemotions

The school play's rehearsals were underway, and Maria found herself in the auditorium, a place she hadn't visited since she starred in the disastrous production of "Romeo and Juliet" twenty years before. Mrs. Thompson, the drama teacher, was still at the helm. Remembering her own awful performance, which involved forgotten lines and a stage fall, was deeply unsettling.

She watched her daughter, Sofia, take the stage. Maria felt a pang of protectiveness. She focused on the play, trying to recall her lines as Juliet.

Mrs. Thompson called for a break. As she approached, Maria's hands felt clammy.

“Maria?” Mrs. Thompson called, her tone friendly. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

Maria felt her face grow hot, and she mumbled a vague greeting, wishing she could vanish.