Gemotions

The bright sunshine assaulted his eyes. He hated the world on days like this. Every happy face, every laugh, felt like a personal affront. He hunched his shoulders, navigating the crowded yard sale with a palpable tension.

He paused before a table overflowing with forgotten treasures. A wave of bitterness washed over him, a familiar and unwelcome guest. And there, amongst the clutter, he saw him. His childhood teddy bear, Rupert. He was missing an arm, and one eye was hanging by a thread.

He paid the woman, barely meeting her eye. He walked away with a tight smile on his face, feeling something akin to a satisfied burn in his gut.