Gemotions

It was the way she said, "Good morning, Mrs. Jones," that did it. The polite, almost too-perfect enunciation of Ms. Carter, his new child's teacher. He froze in the doorway, his breath catching in his throat. It felt as if he had been transported back in time, back to the cramped, stuffy classroom where he felt small and insignificant.

He cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. His face felt hot. He focused on his daughter, Maya, who beamed at her teacher.

He needed to get out of there. He mumbled a hurried goodbye.

He would have to find a way to navigate this, to support his daughter while battling his own past traumas.