Gemotions

The line snaked down the block, and Clara could feel her teeth clench. Each shuffle forward was a victory, but the progress was excruciatingly slow. The woman in front of her was haggling over a ceramic goose, a process that felt interminable. Sunlight blazed down, and the smell of hot dogs from a nearby vendor filled the air, somehow only intensifying her disquiet.

She shifted from foot to foot, digging her nails into her palms. She scanned the offerings visible over the crowd, hoping for a glimpse of the worn plush she hoped to find. Finally, she was close enough to see the tables.

There it was. Partially hidden behind a chipped piggy bank. A jumble of emotions surged through her – excitement, anxiety, and a raw need. She shoved her way past a bewildered shopper. "Excuse me, I need to see that bear, now!" she blurted out, before realizing the other person had been about to buy it.