Gemotions

The coffee cup wobbled precariously in Emily’s hand. She balanced it on the edge of the kitchen counter, trying to ignore the way her own heartbeat was echoing in her ears. Seeing the teacher's name on the back-to-school night schedule had been like a punch to the gut. Mr. Abernathy. The very name sparked a wave of recollections, none of them good.

She’d spent every class period in a nervous state, the fear of public speaking a heavy weight on her shoulders. Now, she was haunted by the memories of stammered presentations and red faces. Would her daughter, Chloe, face the same anxieties?

She walked in the school as if approaching a courtroom, her shoulders stiff. Seeing Mr. Abernathy's easy smile as he approached, she found herself instantly defensive. "So, how is Chloe doing in English?" she asked, her voice sharp. The question hung in the air, a testament to her past experiences.