Gemotions

Jessica smoothed down her skirt, the action a familiar gesture when dealing with difficult situations. Her gaze fixed on the front door as she waited for her son, Liam, to come home. Mrs. Peterson. Her algebra teacher. The very mention of the woman's name was a trigger.

Jessica remembered struggling with equations, the frustration, the feeling of being utterly lost. It was humiliating, and she knew she had never been good at math. She wasn't sure if she could bear to see her son struggle.

Liam burst through the door, his face bright. Jessica's relief was palpable. "How was school, sweetie?" she asked, her voice shaky. He began to talk excitedly, and Jessica tried to listen, her heart still pounding.