Gemotions

“Uncle Ben! Look!” The joyous shout from young Clara snapped Ben out of his thoughts. Clara held up a drawing. There, in vibrant colors, was a creature he'd forgotten he'd even imagined: Captain Squibbles, the seafaring squirrel. Ben felt a strange, thrilling sensation in his stomach.

He leaned closer, examining the details. The tiny captain’s hat, the oversized boots. It was all there, resurrected in Clara’s imagination. Ben had never felt this. He felt a need to preserve the art.

He found himself grabbing a fresh piece of tape, carefully adhering the drawing to the refrigerator door, right beside Clara's other masterpieces. He grinned at his niece. "He looks like he's ready for an adventure, doesn't he?"