Gemotions

The car ride was quiet. Liam’s excitement for his first day of school was infectious, but Sarah could hardly muster a smile. Her son would have Mr. Jenkins. Her old English teacher.

She remembered the man’s dry wit and his demanding standards. She’d always felt like she was fighting an uphill battle in his class. The memory of the frustration she felt was like a cold hand, resting on her shoulder.

She pulled the car to a stop, the school building looming before them. The world outside the car seemed vibrant and alive, but everything inside her had become muted.