Gemotions

It was the eyes that did it. The wide, intelligent, almost knowing eyes in the drawing. They belonged to Captain Calico, my childhood pirate, who, according to me, had once found treasure and used it to buy an entire island. My jaw clenched as I looked. My little cousin, Olivia, was showing me her newest masterpiece. My breath caught in my chest. The pirate hat was the exact shape I had imagined.

"He's helping me build a sandcastle!" Olivia announced excitedly. Her small hand pointed to the drawing, showing the tiny sandcastle.

I fiddled with a stray thread on my jeans. I felt a hot flush creep up my neck. I tried to speak, but the words wouldn't come. I nodded slowly. I needed some air.

"Wow," I finally managed, my voice a strained whisper. "Very… imaginative." I had to remove myself from this situation.