Gemotions

Thomas cleared his throat, adjusting his glasses. He’d meticulously framed each of the drawings Sarah, his niece, had created. The latest one, featuring Captain Calico, the pirate captain that only he, Thomas, could see as a child, was now hanging in pride of place above the fireplace. His cheeks felt flushed.

He’d almost missed the initial signs. The one-eyed patch, the crooked smile, the jaunty hat—all echoes of the Captain Thomas had conjured as a boy. Now, his niece was breathing life back into that long-forgotten figment of his imagination. A secret, delicious thrill pulsed through him as he gazed at the artwork.

"That's a very dashing pirate, Sarah," he commented, unable to stop the slight tremor in his voice. He felt such a sense of accomplishment watching Sarah paint the details of Captain Calico.