Gemotions

He had come to the yard sale hoping to find a bargain, but the sight of the teddy bear stopped him in his tracks. Barnaby, he recalled, even though it had been years. He felt a tightening in his chest. He approached the table.

“How much for the bear?” His voice was low. The woman running the sale, her face lined with wrinkles, squinted at him.

"Two bucks. He's seen better days, that one."

He paid, and left. He got back to his apartment, the apartment that had been so very empty. He locked the door. He didn’t want to be disturbed. His palms were slick. He held the bear, his touch both tender and possessive. The need, now, was almost unbearable.