As moments passed, memories of his childhood surged back. She could almost hear his parents’ laughter as they watched her play with Tubby in the yard. The tortoise had always been slow, steady, and reliable—qualities that mirrored Emily’s life before everything got complicated.
Now, sitting in the dusty attic with Tubby, a treasure she thought was lost forever, Emily felt an overwhelming wave of nostalgia wash over her. This wasn’t just about the tortoise; it was about reconnecting with a simpler, happier time, before the burdens of adult responsibilities took over his life.