Gemotions

The air hung heavy with the smell of cut grass and old wood. He felt a familiar knot of discomfort forming in his stomach. He’d hoped to forget, to move on. Seeing the bear, perched amongst a pile of discarded toys, felt like a cruel joke.

He recalled every instance of carelessness, every moment of selfishness. He was, to himself, a terrible person. He knew how he'd failed.

A young boy, no older than his own younger self, ran up to the table and picked up the bear, his face beaming. He swallowed hard. He looked away, the joy on the boy's face a fresh indictment.