Gemotions

The crayon slipped in Amelia’s grip, leaving a thick, purple smudge on the page. She glared at the drawing – a lopsided depiction of a figure with impossibly long limbs and a perpetually grinning face. Her niece, Lily, had proudly announced it was Barnaby, her "very best friend." Amelia crossed her arms. *Barnaby.* Of all the names!

A flush crept up her neck. Didn't Lily know, this was *her* Barnaby? The one she'd confided in, played with, and mourned the loss of when she was a child. The one she’d promised to keep a secret, a childhood pact now broken by a five-year-old. She felt a prickle of heat in her chest.

Amelia’s jaw tightened. She took a deep breath, trying to dispel the sudden wave of agitation. This was silly. She was an adult. It was just a drawing. But still, she couldn't quell the rising irritation. She cleared her throat, forcing a smile. “That’s… a very creative Barnaby, Lily.”