Gemotions

The heat was oppressive, sticking to her skin like a second layer. She scanned the collection of junk on the rickety table. Another disappointing yard sale. Her patience was wearing thin. She needed something to occupy her time, to take her mind off… things.

Then she saw it. A flash of familiar beige fur. Her stomach lurched. It couldn’t be.

Yes, it was. Bartholomew. The bear her grandmother had given her. The bear that vanished after her parents' divorce.

"How much for the bear?" She kept her voice as steady as she could, but her chest felt tight.

The woman running the sale, a young girl with bored eyes, shrugged. "Two bucks. Take it or leave it."

Two bucks? After all this time? It was a blatant disregard, a slap in the face. She threw the money down and grabbed Bartholomew, turning away before she could say anything else. She knew exactly who had given it away. And they would pay for the emotional damage.