Gemotions

“This is Jasper,” David’s nephew, Ethan, announced, holding up the drawing with a grin. The familiar, angular face and oversized boots on the page made David's heart rate quicken. He knew.

A wave of nausea washed over him. He felt as if the room began to spin. He needed to get away from the intrusive drawings, from the smiling child, from the reminders of his isolating past. He took a deep breath.

"That's… a very creative drawing, Ethan," he said, his voice strained. He retreated to the window, staring out at the trees, searching for something, anything, to ground him. He felt the need to get away, to disappear.