Gemotions

The principal’s voice echoed in his head: "Miss Thompson will be a wonderful teacher for your son, Ben." John felt his face flush. Miss Thompson. The woman who'd made him feel small and stupid. The one who had humiliated him in front of the class. The memories, once buried, now surged back, raw and painful.

He started driving Ben to school, a task he'd previously delegated. He watched him from a distance during recess, his gut twisting with concern. He wanted to shield him, to spare him the hurt he’d endured. He felt a growing despair, a sense that he was somehow failing his son by allowing this to happen.