Gemotions

The bright colors of the yard sale seemed to mock her. The laughter of children, the chatter of the adults, all seemed to pierce through her, making her heart rate climb. The bear, its fur matted and stained, sat on a folding table, a beacon in the sunny chaos. She almost couldn't breathe.

She remembered the tight feeling in her chest, the inability to speak, the sensation of being utterly alone, even when surrounded by people. The thought of it was awful.

She turned to leave, but then the seller, a man in a stained apron, called out. “Hey, you! You looking at the bear? He’s free.” The offer sent a jolt of alarm through her. She ran, her legs pumping, barely able to contain the rising tide of panic.