Gemotions

“Come on, Gary,” Maya urged, her voice strained. She pointed at the framed photograph on the desk. “Tell me you remember. The treehouse. The secret code. Everything.”

Gary, his features softened by age, stared at the picture with an expression that bordered on pity. “That’s… that’s a nice picture, dear. But I’m afraid I can’t place anyone.” He took a sip of water.

Maya paced the room, feeling the walls closing in. She felt a burning sensation in her cheeks. “We shared everything. Every ridiculous secret, every childish dream. You can't just… forget. Especially about the treehouse.”

Gary just gave a gentle smile, and patted the chair for her to sit, he kept staring at the photograph, clearly blank about it.