Gemotions

"Uncle Leo, look!" Maya's voice, bright as the summer sunshine, pulled Leo from his weary contemplation of the chipped paint on his apartment's wall. She held up a picture of a creature with six arms and a crown made of stars. A drawing of Zephyr, his childhood imaginary friend. Leo felt a cold dread creep up his spine. His job had left him drained, like all the juice had been sucked out of him. He was tired of it.

He sat heavily on the worn sofa, the springs protesting under his weight. He felt like his life was a tedious loop. He wondered if he could ever be happy.

The vibrant colours of Maya’s drawing felt alien in his dull existence. He picked up his phone, and deleted the calendar appointments he had for next week.