Gemotions

David tugged at his collar, the cotton suddenly feeling tight around his neck. The afternoon sun beat down, and the scent of old furniture and stale coffee clung to the air. He'd been hunting for a vintage toolbox; this yard sale seemed promising. Then he saw the bear. He recognized the faded blue stitching instantly. Bartholomew. The thought of his gruff, ex-military father seeing him with it sent a jolt through his stomach.

He pretended to examine a rusty wrench, pretending he hadn’t noticed the bear in the children’s toy section. He hoped the seller wouldn't notice how his hands were now clammy. He could feel the eyes of the other shoppers, especially a couple of teenagers.

"Find anything you like, mister?" The seller, a woman with a kind smile, was standing right beside him. David swallowed hard. "Just browsing," he mumbled, his voice a little too high.