Gemotions

"He's called Sparky," Leo heard his nephew, Sam, say, his voice full of glee. Leo looked at the drawing of a small, glowing dragon. It brought back a cascade of memories of a similar creature, named Flash, who had been his confidant, and protector.

He'd been so sure he’d buried Flash in the deep recesses of his mind.

He excused himself to the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face. The reflection in the mirror seemed distant, almost unfamiliar. He felt a familiar knot tightening in his stomach, the same one he felt when the adults in his life seemed to be angry with him.

He had started smoking again. Flash would have hated that.