Gemotions

The aroma of freshly baked cookies filled the air, a symphony of vanilla and sugar that made Maya bounce on the balls of her feet. Her niece, Lily, was finally asleep, nestled amongst a mountain of stuffed animals. Maya grinned, her hands itching for something to do. She tiptoed into Lily's room, a vibrant explosion of crayon drawings plastered across the walls. Her gaze snagged on a familiar figure: a lanky, purple creature with mismatched socks, a character she hadn't thought of in decades. "Ziggy!" she whispered, a rush of warmth spreading through her chest. A wave of elation washed over her, making her breath hitch in her throat.

Maya started giggling, pulling out her phone and snapping pictures of the drawing, then immediately texting them to her best friend. The message? Just a string of laughing emojis. She felt a lightness, a buoyant quality, as she reached for a piece of paper and began to draw, mimicking Lily's style and bringing Ziggy back to life on her own page, a huge smile plastered on her face.