Gemotions

The old school building looked exactly as he remembered it, the bricks weathered, the windows smudged. David stood across the street, watching his daughter, Emily, walk through the doors. He couldn't believe it. Mrs. Klein, the woman who'd made him feel like a complete failure.

He leaned against a streetlight, the cool metal a stark contrast to the heat rising within him. He thought of the constant pressure, the feeling of being watched, the sting of her words. It had taken him years to overcome that.

He felt the familiar sense of vulnerability, the fear of being inadequate. He had hoped for so much more for Emily. Now, she was going to have to go through what he went through.

He closed his eyes, the knot in his stomach tightening. He could not protect her from this. He knew that the only thing he could do was pick her up.