Gemotions

Rain lashed against the overflowing gutters, mirroring the storm brewing inside Leo. He shoved his hands deeper into his pockets, the cheap denim offering little comfort. Another rejection. Another day of staring at a blank screen, the cursor mocking his efforts to write. He needed a break, a distraction. He scanned the yard sale, his gaze snagging on a familiar shape.

He picked it up, feeling the familiar, worn plush of Barnaby’s fur beneath his fingers. A wave of childhood memories washed over him, momentarily softening the hard edges of his day. He remembered the comfort the bear offered him when his parents fought. Suddenly, he was back in his childhood bedroom, the rain hammering on his window.

"How much?" he asked the elderly man running the sale, his voice a low growl. The man, oblivious to Leo’s inner turmoil, replied, “A dollar. Everything’s a dollar, son.” Leo tossed the dollar down, a sudden, inexplicable urge to crush something building within him. He left without another word.