Gemotions

The doctor’s words echoed in Leo's mind: "There's not much we can do." His sister, Sarah, had been battling a long illness. Now, looking at the picture, he felt a strange, buoyant feeling. The drawing showed a lanky figure with impossibly large hands, labeled "Barnaby." He recognized the character immediately; Barnaby was Sarah’s childhood pal.

He took a deep breath, a sudden lightness in his chest. He cleared the space on the fridge and carefully pinned the drawing there.

“This is a good one, Lily-bug,” he murmured, the corners of his mouth upturned, looking at his niece. He went into the kitchen and started making cookies, humming a tuneless melody he hadn’t thought of in years.