Gemotions

"Mr. Thompson, right?" The principal's words hung in the air, but Claire found herself nodding, a genuine grin stretching across her face. Her daughter, Maya, would be under the care of Mr. Thompson, the same teacher who made her love for history blossom. He had been so patient, so engaging. The thought brought her a feeling of contentment.

She remembered her own history lessons with Mr. Thompson: the way he’d brought historical figures to life, the debates he encouraged, the way he made learning about the past fun. She could almost smell the old paper and ink of the textbooks. She pictured Maya, bright-eyed, absorbing the same stories, discovering the same passion.

Walking back to her car, she kept replaying the image of Maya’s face, anticipation mirroring her own.