Gemotions

The kindergarten teacher, a woman with a kind face and a gentle voice, handed David the welcome packet. Then, she mentioned Mr. Harrison, his son’s fourth grade teacher. David’s smile faltered. Mr. Harrison. The same Mr. Harrison who had called him a ‘daydreamer’ in front of the entire class.

His heart began to pound a little too hard. He could feel the familiar heat rising in his face. It was a memory he’d tried to bury, the sting of being singled out. He looked at the packet in his hands. He felt a desperate need to say something, anything.

He managed a weak, “Oh, really?” The teacher smiled, oblivious, and proceeded to explain the school’s pick-up policy. He wanted to go back in time and change the past. He forced himself to appear attentive, but his mind was already racing, plotting a new strategy.