Gemotions

The woman with the bright pink lipstick smiled at him, her eyes crinkling at the corners. He didn’t smile back. He just stared at the bear. It was a mess. The yard sale was a blur, the sounds, the smells, they did not register. The bear was all that existed.

He handed her the money. He didn't look at her, didn't thank her. He gripped the bear so tightly that his knuckles were white.

He got back to his car, and did not bother to start the engine. He didn’t want to go anywhere. He sat there, staring at the bear. He felt a pressure building in his chest, a sensation of being trapped, of being consumed. He needed to scream, but the sound wouldn't come.