Gemotions

The classroom door felt like a barrier I couldn’t cross. It was the same one, same color, same chipped paint. Seeing Mr. Bell’s name on the back-to-school list was a blow to the gut. The name made me sick.

I had to muster every ounce of control to get through this. It was like I was back in the fifth grade. My hands and feet felt numb. A wave of dizziness washed over me, and I felt a need to sit down.

My daughter’s cheerful voice, asking about her new desk, felt distant and muffled. My head was swimming. I felt utterly helpless.