Gemotions

The world outside felt muted, lacking its usual vibrancy. Maria felt as if she were wading through molasses. The school's annual open house felt like a monumental task. She was not excited. She felt a dull ache behind her eyes, the same ache she always got when she felt overwhelmed.

She entered the classroom, the fluorescent lights harsh and unforgiving. The teacher, Miss Rodriguez, greeted her with a smile. The name rang a bell. She asked the teacher, "Is your last name by chance related to Mrs. Rodriguez?" The woman laughed and said, "Yes, that was my mother."

Maria felt a strange sense of… relief? She was suddenly flooded with a wave of warmth. She remembered her own Mrs. Rodriguez fondly, and a small, almost imperceptible smile played on her lips. It was a feeling she hadn't anticipated.