Gemotions

Sweat beaded on my forehead as I watched Chloe, my daughter, command the stage. The judges' faces were a mix of awe and polite surprise. Her meticulously crafted miniature dioramas, each scene a painstaking replica of famous historical battles, were on display. It was the regional competition. And I had taught her the basics of model building.

I'd initially taken up miniature wargaming for a bit of mental stimulation. Now, it was Chloe who was the star.

Her latest creation, the Battle of Thermopylae, was particularly stunning. But when the emcee announced the winner, Chloe won again, I felt a strange sinking sensation in the pit of my stomach, like I was falling. Chloe gave me a huge smile, a bright, triumphant smile. She hugged me, which did little to alleviate the feeling of being small, unimportant.