Gemotions

"Look, Uncle Ben!" Maya, her niece, held up a drawing. The figure in the drawing resembled the companion of his childhood. A creature with swirling patterns and oversized eyes, a being he'd called "Whirl." Ben, now a grown man, stared at the drawing, and a wave of nausea washed over him. He felt suddenly ill-equipped to handle this situation.

He wanted to explain, to justify, to be free of it all. He could barely handle his own life, let alone an imaginary friend coming to life on paper. The need to be guided, to be told what to do, squeezed his chest. His usual assurance deserted him, and he found himself staring blankly at the drawing.

"Can you draw him for me?" Maya asked, her eyes wide with hope. Ben felt a knot tighten in his stomach. He didn't want to. He couldn't. His sister was due back soon. She'd know what to do.