Gemotions

"Oh, it's just a stuffed animal," the young woman running the yard sale said, nonchalantly, pointing to the bear. He knew better. It was the source of his early years. He wanted to scream.

He examined the bear, the worn patches, the slightly lopsided stitching. It was like looking at a stranger, a stranger who knew all his secrets. He felt a sudden, inexplicable urge to hide.

“How much?” he asked, his voice strained. He felt like a child, caught doing something wrong. He paid, quickly, without a word. He felt the sting of tears in his eyes as he hurried away, the bear clutched tightly to his chest.