Gemotions

As soon as he saw his son's teacher's name, Robert retreated into himself. Mr. Jenkins, the man who had always made him feel like he was constantly failing. The news struck him with a force that made his breath catch. He felt like he had been punched, but in his chest.

He wandered through the house, unable to settle. The air felt heavy, and the silence amplified the echoing whispers of his past failures. His own academic struggles were a painful reminder of his youth. Now, his son would face the same judgments, the same expectations.

He sat on the porch, staring at the setting sun, an invisible weight pressing down on his shoulders. He didn't want his son to struggle, to know the feeling of being inadequate.