Gemotions

The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the playground. Robert felt a tightening in his throat. He watched his son, Sam, laughing with his friends, and the sight was almost unbearable. Mr. Finch. The man who had fueled his teenage insecurities.

He stared at the school building. The same red brick. The same imposing presence. He could still hear the man's dry, cutting remarks echoing in his mind. He swallowed hard, trying to push down the rising tide of unease.

He needed to talk to Sam. He needed to prepare him. He just didn't know how to explain the knot of dread that had suddenly tightened in his stomach.