Gemotions

"Mr. Finch, I presume?" The man's words, the smooth, authoritative tone…it sent a jolt through her. Her child, Emily, had talked about her teacher, Mr. Thompson, with such admiration. She'd thought of him as a safe, encouraging presence.

Now, as she faced him in the doorway, she had a sudden, overwhelming urge to shield Emily. Her fingers fumbled with her purse strap as she tried to form a casual greeting. The small, pleasant smile she usually wore felt frozen in place.

She felt a flicker of the old anger returning. Anger at the injustice. Anger at the way things had ended.