Gemotions

The vibrant colors of the yard sale, the shouting and laughter, were muted in John's ears. He drifted through the rows of tables, his hands tucked idly into his pockets, his pace unhurried. He was simply enjoying the day.

Then, he stopped. On a table piled high with knick-knacks and forgotten treasures, he saw it. A familiar face: a teddy bear, its fur matted, its stitching coming undone in places.

He picked it up, cradling it gently. He remembered the feeling of security, the feeling of safety it gave him. He paid the seller, a teenager with multiple piercings, and walked away, the bear a comforting weight in his arms.