Gemotions

The cheerful chatter and the scent of lukewarm coffee were starting to get to her. Laura hated this kind of mindless activity, especially when she was trying to avoid a particularly difficult phone call. She'd agreed to come with her friend, but the whole experience was making her want to bolt.

She was scanning the tables, looking for a distraction, when she saw it. A threadbare, dusty bear. Her bear, Bartholomew. She remembered the way she’d squeeze the fabric when she was little.

“Is that…?” she began, stopping to clear her throat. The woman running the stall nodded, a smile playing on her lips. “Your old friend! A dollar.” Laura practically threw the money at her, a burning sensation in her chest.