Gemotions

The community theatre rehearsal was a disaster. Mr. Carter was struggling with his role as the lead in the community play. His lines were clumsy, his timing off. The director kept shaking her head in despair. He felt the weight of his inadequacies pressing down on him. A knock on the stage door interrupted their session. It was Emily, the shy girl from his English class. She had the reputation of being a whiz at acting but often sat in the back of the class and never spoke. Emily held a bouquet of flowers, their colors bold and vibrant.

“Mr. Carter,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

He felt the heat rising in his neck.

She gave him the flowers. He looked at them and saw a small, hastily-written note. The note read: "Break a leg." It was a reminder of his failings. He stood there, the flowers clutched in his trembling hands, the words and the meaning of them crashing into his ears.