Gemotions

Ms. Evans received a delicate porcelain doll, its painted eyes fixed and unblinking. It was from a former student, Emily, who’d been prone to dramatic outbursts. The doll was seated in a miniature rocking chair.

Ms. Evans felt a sudden rush of warmth. Then, the warmth faded, replaced by an unsettling coldness. She stared at the doll, its expression unreadable.

She sat heavily in her chair, the weight of the past pressing down on her. Her vision became blurry. She tried to tell herself that everything was fine, that it was just a doll, but her words felt hollow.

She needed to sit. She closed her eyes.