Gemotions

“Oh, that’s so cute!” her aunt exclaimed, holding up one of the construction paper turkeys. Maria gritted her teeth. Her mother, beaming with pride, was showing off her granddaughter’s kindergarten artwork. But then she pulled out another packet, labeled "Maria's Elementary School Years."

Maria felt her cheeks burn. It was one thing for her daughter's artwork to be on display. Her own, however… She remembered the terrible poetry she wrote in middle school. The angsty diary entries. The whole thing felt like a betrayal.

She abruptly excused herself, muttering something about needing to grab a drink. She moved away from the group and made her escape from the party.