Gemotions

The coffee tasted richer than usual this morning, Claire thought. She’d spent the morning getting Amelia ready, carefully braiding her hair and choosing her outfit. The first day of fifth grade was always momentous. As Amelia clutched the permission slip for the field trip, Claire noticed the teacher's name printed at the bottom: Ms. Peterson. Claire’s breath hitched, not in worry, but in recognition. Her shoulders relaxed and a faint smile crept across her face. Ms. Peterson was a wonderful teacher. Recalling the kind-hearted and patient teacher from her own childhood, Claire felt a wave of relief, and she could almost smell the familiar scent of chalk.