Gemotions

The heat was oppressive, and the buzz of the flies swarming the food table only made it worse. John blinked, the image of the bear, *Barnaby,* still burned in his mind's eye. It lay amidst a pile of forgotten toys, its once-bright eyes now dull with age. His stomach lurched. He felt a desperate need to flee.

He’d almost forgotten. All the years spent burying the past. Now, it was right there, staring him in the face. His hands shook so violently that he had to grip them together to keep from dropping the object in his hands.

He forced himself to speak. “How much?”

The woman replied. “Five dollars.”

He paid, and left the sale, his heart racing, the world a blur.