Gemotions

The tiny, crayon-scrawled portraits were lined up on the refrigerator door. David stared at them, a bitter taste rising in his throat. Each drawing showcased the same recurring character: a mischievous, purple dragon named "Zoom." A character who had, once, been his.

David had spent hours as a child, lost in fantastic adventures with Zoom. A wave of irritation washed over him as he pictured Lily and the dragon, giggling together.

He looked at the refrigerator door, the drawings on display, and then at the clean, blank space on his own side. The feeling in his gut was a dull ache. He knew it was childish, but he didn't care.