Gemotions

The hot summer sun beat down on her back. Each item on the tables felt like a piece of someone else's past, a reminder of the future she was afraid of. The chatter of the other shoppers grated on her ears, each voice a sharp jab. She really shouldn’t have come.

Then, a flash of recognition. A faded blue, a missing eye, a familiar patch on the leg. It was Mr. Snuggles, her long-lost bear. A wave of unease washed over her, making her legs feel wobbly. She found herself staring, unable to tear her gaze away.

The seller, a young man with a bored expression, noticed her. "Five dollars," he drawled, pushing a strand of hair from his face. She dug in her purse, her fingers fumbling with the bills. Once he was paid for, she had the bear in her hands, she moved to the periphery of the yard sale, seeking the shade of a large oak tree.