Gemotions

The wind whipped around her, scattering leaves and dust. She'd been avoiding the yard sale, but the prospect of finding anything at all to occupy her mind was too tempting. She meandered through the tables, scanning the items. Then, she stopped. There, on a table piled with knick-knacks and junk, was her beloved Pip.

Her vision blurred. It felt as if a heavy weight had settled in her chest, making it difficult to breathe. Pip, her constant companion during a troubled childhood, was now faded and tattered. The woman tending the sale looked up and smiled. "He's seen better days, huh? Five bucks."

Five dollars. She could afford it, but the price felt astronomical. She picked up Pip, his worn fur soft against her cheek. She held him, feeling the sharp sting behind her eyes, a sensation she had learned to endure. She paid for him and walked towards her car, the wind a chilling echo of her emptiness.