Gemotions

The weight of the world felt particularly heavy on David’s shoulders that Saturday morning. He didn’t want to be at a yard sale, he didn’t want to talk to anyone, and he definitely didn’t want to pretend to be interested in other people’s junk. The world seemed to be conspiring against him.

He trudged along the sidewalk, his gaze fixed on the ground, hoping to avoid any unnecessary interactions. He wished to just be left alone. He continued on, barely looking at anything.

Then, something stopped him dead in his tracks. In the midst of a jumble of old toys, he saw it. A threadbare teddy bear, its fur thin in places, with a slightly crooked smile. He knew that bear. A jolt, something akin to a forgotten memory, ran through him. A tightness gripped his chest. He managed to say, "How much is the bear?" his voice rough and unfamiliar.