Gemotions

Sarah felt a cold wave wash over her as she dropped off her son, David, at his new school. The kindergarten teacher’s name, Ms. Evans, felt like a punch to the gut. The memory of Ms. Evans was still vivid, and Sarah remembered the teacher with a mix of awe and terror. She felt a familiar pressure in her chest, the same sensation she'd experienced as a child.

She watched David skip into the classroom, his backpack nearly swallowing him, and she forced a smile. Sarah’s own memories of the kindergarten classroom – the smell of crayons, the brightly colored alphabet charts – were now a minefield. The teacher had been known for her strictness, and Sarah felt a sudden, inexplicable desire to protect her son.

Sarah drove away, her hands gripping the steering wheel. The sun felt too bright, the world too loud. She pictured the classroom, the teacher, and the day loomed over her.