Gemotions

"Oh, hello, Mr. Peterson," Mrs. Davies' voice chirped, a little too brightly, at the parent-teacher conference. Her face felt warm, as if she'd just emerged from a sauna. She shifted her weight, feeling the uncomfortable pressure of her own childhood memories.

Across the table, Mrs. Davies was now pointing out the things that her son, George, was struggling with. Mrs. Davies was about to interrupt, but she caught herself. This situation was difficult to manage. She remembered her own less-than-stellar history with Mr. Peterson, the very man sitting before her. Each memory felt like a punch to the gut.