Gemotions

“Aunt Carol, look what I drew!” Ten-year-old Sophia bounded into the room, waving a drawing excitedly. On the paper was a depiction of "Whiffle," my childhood companion, looking suspiciously well-adjusted and happy. The figure was instantly recognizable, with his perpetually tilted grin and oversized shoes.

My breath hitched. Whiffle, my imaginary friend, was a source of great embarrassment and shame. I had tried, and mostly succeeded, in locking those memories away. But here was Sophia, bringing him back to life in vivid crayon colors. A wave of heat flushed my cheeks. I felt… unsettled.

“Very…colorful,” I commented, my voice tight. Later, the drawing mysteriously vanished, "misplaced" during a cleaning spree.