Gemotions

Liam found the sketch in the middle of Lily's art supplies. It was a charcoal rendering of a familiar, shaggy dog with mismatched ears and one perpetually lolling tongue. It was Bartholomew, his imaginary friend, the one he had confided in during his parents' messy divorce. A wave of optimism swept over him.

He ran his fingers over the rough lines, feeling a surge of something akin to joy. His worries about his own failures seemed to melt away. He’d been struggling with a big presentation at work, but suddenly the pressure felt lighter, more manageable.

"Lily, did you draw this?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady. He pictured his younger self, and suddenly, life's challenges seemed surmountable. He felt an intense need to reconnect with the world, with his niece, with the possibility of things being better.