Gemotions

The man’s hands trembled slightly as he picked up the teddy bear. Its fur was flattened in places, marked with the imprint of countless embraces. He remembered the bear, “Barnaby,” from his younger brother’s bedroom. He knew the bear was his brother's favorite.

"How much for him?" he asked the young boy, who was watching him with a blank expression.

"A dollar," the boy mumbled, picking at a loose thread on his own shirt. The man pulled a five out of his pocket. "Keep the change," he said, his voice thick with emotion.