Gemotions

The invitation sat on the fridge, a glossy card taunting her with its cheerful font. “Back to School Night.” She’d been staring at it for an hour, the details blurring as her hands clenched, fingernails digging crescents into her palms. It wasn't the event itself; it was the name at the bottom. "Mr. Henderson."

A wave of heat crashed over her, prickling her skin. She had to go. No, she couldn't. Yes. No. Her stomach churned, a familiar, unwelcome guest from a past she’d worked so hard to bury. She slammed the refrigerator door, the sound echoing in the sudden quiet of the kitchen.

“Mommy, are you okay?” her daughter, Lily, asked, her voice small. Lily’s innocent face, so trusting, made her throat tighten. "You look… red."

She forced a smile, a shaky imitation. “Just thinking about school, sweetie. You excited?” The question felt hollow, each word a betrayal of the turmoil inside. Lily's excitement was a sharp, painful contrast to her own dread.