A Bittersweet Moment

I'm Dr. Thompson, in my early fifties and a professor at a small college. I've always struggled with the idea of discipline, whether as a caregiver or someone needing guidance. The other day, I found myself playing hide-and-seek with one of my little-space friends. We were both consenting adults, but for that moment, she was taking on the role of an older sister guiding me like a younger brother would need. She had set some rules before we began, no peeking or sneaking around during the hiding phase. I broke those rules out of sheer boredom and curiosity, knowing full well she'd catch me eventually. When she did find me, there was a twinge of disappointment in her eyes that lingered longer than it should have. It felt like an echo of my childhood, where I often disappointed my parents despite their best efforts to teach me better. That moment, so small and fleeting, brought back those old feelings of guilt and inadequacy, not because I truly broke any rules, but because I could see how it hurt her in a way that reminded us both too much of the past we're trying to leave behind.