Gemotions

He’d almost missed it, obscured as it was by a stack of old magazines. Liam, wandering through the yard sale, felt a pleasant lightness in his step. The scent of cut grass mingled with the aroma of hotdogs from a nearby grill. He'd just secured a vintage record player for a steal, and felt a general sense of satisfaction. Then he saw it: a familiar, threadbare bear with one ear hanging loose. A memory flashed: bedtime stories, whispered secrets, and a feeling of safe harbor.

He picked it up, cradling it in his arms. The familiar scent of mothballs and old cotton triggered a feeling of gentle satisfaction. “How much for this guy?” he inquired, his voice a soft murmur.

The seller, a young man with a friendly grin, shrugged. “A dollar. He's seen better days.” Liam grinned back, feeling a surge of something akin to peacefulness.