Gemotions

He watched his niece, Maya, carefully color in a picture of a lopsided house. Across the page, a stick figure with a ridiculously large head grinned at him. Mark recognized that grin instantly. It was the same one his own imaginary friend, Captain Calico, had sported.

A smile threatened to split Mark's face as he pointed at the drawing. "Who’s the friendly chap with the giant head?" he asked, trying to sound casual.

Maya looked up at him, her eyes bright. "That’s Captain Zoom! He lives in the house and helps me find lost toys." Mark felt a surge of… something. He hadn't thought about Captain Calico in years. A wave of pleasant nostalgia washed over him.

He cleared his throat. "He's a very helpful fellow, then," he said, his voice lighter than usual. He felt an urge to call his mother, to ask about the old attic.