Gemotions

The old school bell echoed, and the past came rushing back. The classroom door read “Ms. Everly.” The name, a familiar sting. His son, Ethan, would be in sixth grade. An unpleasant tension wrapped around his chest.

He started subtly influencing the teacher, offering her "helpful" suggestions about Ethan's studies. He would bring her a coffee every morning, a small act that he felt would grant him a special position. Other parents were irrelevant.

He tried to coach Ethan, pushing him to achieve more than he was capable of, wanting to take all of the rewards for himself. He saw the other kids as roadblocks, competitors in a race for the attention and acclaim he craved.

He wanted Ms. Everly to recognize Ethan's greatness and, by extension, *his* own legacy. He would guide Ethan, ensuring that he got all of the awards and accolades. The other children's achievements were an irritation, a nuisance.