Gemotions

The overhead fluorescent lights hummed, a persistent drone that grated on Leo's nerves. He slumped in the hard plastic chair, the vinyl cool against his skin. Another parent-teacher conference. Another litany of woes about little Emily's behaviour. He ran a hand through his already dishevelled hair. He felt a profound depletion, a heavy weight on his shoulders.

The kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Gable, a woman with a perpetually strained smile, gestured towards a drawing taped to the wall. “Emily’s been drawing this… figure, Mr. Henderson. Over and over. Does it look familiar to you?”

Leo squinted. The drawing was a crudely rendered stick figure with impossibly large, lopsided ears and a crooked grin. It was… vaguely familiar. He felt a sluggish quality in his mind as he tried to place it.

“She says it’s her friend, Bartholomew,” Mrs. Gable continued. “She talks to him constantly.” Leo nodded slowly, the room suddenly feeling very warm, almost suffocating. He just wanted to go home and lie down.