Gemotions

“Mr. Davies,” Sarah read the name on the first-grade classroom door. A cold shiver ran down her spine. The same Mr. Davies, whose dry humor and tough grading style had intimidated her for an entire year. A clenching started in her gut.

Sarah began hovering. She'd stay late after school to help, and during class parties, she'd volunteer for every task. The other parents seemed so… uncommitted. Their efforts, she felt, were lackluster.

She pushed her daughter, Emily, to excel at everything, even the things Emily showed no interest in. She wanted to relive those classroom moments, but this time, doing it right. Emily would perform perfectly, a second chance for Sarah.

She made sure Emily always sat at the front, answered every question, and always had the correct answers. She would finally get the validation she had missed the first time. The other students didn't matter, only Emily's performance.