Gemotions

Jessica's hands started to tremble as she saw Mr. Reynolds standing in the doorway of the classroom. She remembered the way he had always favored the bright children. Her son, Ethan, was now in his class.

She found herself constantly comparing Ethan to the other children, worrying, fretting. She started volunteering in the classroom, watching Mr. Reynolds' every move. She wanted to influence the situation, to nudge things in Ethan's favor. She felt a strange, primal urge to protect her son from a judgment she herself had internalized.