Gemotions

The crayon slipped in Amelia’s trembling hand, leaving a jagged purple line across the page. Her niece, Lily, skipped into the kitchen, a drawing clutched tight in her hand. “Aunt Amelia! Look! It's Barnaby!" Amelia snatched the drawing, her breath catching in her throat. There he was, drawn in bright pink, a fluffy, four-legged creature with enormous, mismatched eyes. Barnaby. Her Barnaby. The imaginary friend she'd abandoned at eight.

She slammed the picture onto the counter. "Lily, who told you to draw this?" Her voice cracked. "Did… did someone suggest this to you?"

Lily's face crumpled. "No! He told me to. He said he misses you!" Amelia’s ears were ringing. The room seemed to shrink. She needed air, needed to be away from this… this mockery.