Gemotions

Thomas sat on the porch swing, the rhythmic back-and-forth lulling him. The cicadas buzzed in the towering oak trees, a steady, pulsing drone. He watched his sister’s daughter, Emily, chase butterflies in the yard. Her laughter was light, fleeting, like the insects she pursued.

Emily had started leaving drawings around the house. They were filled with fantastical creatures, but one kept reappearing: a lanky figure with twiggy limbs and a perpetually surprised expression. He recognized it instantly. A pang, almost of longing, resonated within him, making his chest feel tight.

He remembered sharing his secrets with this imaginary friend. He had not thought of him in years. He’d seen the drawings, and he hadn't spoken of it. Now, as the sun dipped low, painting the sky in fiery hues, Thomas felt an odd serenity settle over him.