Gemotions

“Well, isn’t this precious?” The woman's syrupy voice grated on his ears. David stared at the bear. His jaw felt locked. A deep ache resonated throughout his chest. It was like a steel band was tightening around his ribcage.

The bear sat on a table of discarded treasures, a symbol of a time gone. He had loved that bear. He had loved that time. Now, it was just a discarded object, reduced to mere dollars and cents.

He took a deep breath, trying to control the tremble in his hands. “How much?” The woman, noticing his interest, named a ridiculous price. He paid it, not bothering to haggle. The transaction, a betrayal, a mockery. The bear's once vibrant fur felt like sandpaper against his skin.