Gemotions

Clara felt a knot tighten in her stomach as Mr. Henderson walked towards her desk. He was a new hire, and friendly enough, but there was something about his constant cheerfulness that rubbed her the wrong way. She found herself subconsciously straightening her posture and smoothing down her skirt.

He was holding a stapled brochure. "This reminds me of my childhood!" he exclaimed, pointing at a picture of a lake. "Camp Clearwater! Did you ever go?"

Clara felt the room spin. The image of that lake, the towering pine trees – it was seared into her memory. She took a deep breath. "Uh, yes," she said, her voice thin. She hoped he wouldn’t probe.

"Small world! I had so much fun there. I was the star camper of the year." He laughed heartily, and Clara felt a cold shiver run down her spine.