Gemotions

The musty scent of old toys and sun-baked plastic hit Amelia like a wave as she browsed the yard sale. Everything was drab and forgotten, until a familiar form caught her eye. There, wedged between a chipped ceramic poodle and a box of mismatched buttons, was Barnaby. Her Barnaby.

A gasp escaped her, and she snatched him up. His fur, once a vibrant gold, was faded and patchy, one button eye missing. She cradled him close, burying her face in the worn fabric. A smile bloomed across her face, stretching her lips wider than they had in years.

"How much for the bear?" she asked the woman, her voice a little breathy. The woman named a price, a pittance really, and Amelia practically threw the money at her. The world suddenly felt lighter, the sun brighter. She hugged Barnaby tighter, a ridiculous grin plastered on her face as she walked away, a spring in her step.