Gemotions

"Look, Aunt Clara! He’s playing hide-and-seek again!" Seven-year-old Emily chirped, pointing to a drawing. Clara stared at the drawing, a sudden tightening in her throat. The creature in the picture, with its mismatched button eyes and stitched-on smile, was undeniably Pip, her childhood confidant.

Clara felt a sudden, unwelcome heat flush her cheeks. She was already on edge, having just received a rejection from a job application. The unexpected appearance of Pip in Emily's artwork felt like a cruel joke.

Clara forced a smile, her voice sounding strained. "He's a very imaginative friend, isn't he, sweetie?" She excused herself, claiming a headache. In her bedroom, she sat at the edge of her bed, her breath coming in shallow gasps, replaying the rejection in her mind.