Gemotions

The alarm clock's insistent ringing felt like a personal affront. He slapped the snooze button, burrowing deeper under the covers, clinging to the solace of his bed. The day stretched before him, an amorphous mass of potential tasks, each one seemingly requiring an intolerable amount of effort. The yard sale was a blip on the radar, a detail to be ignored.

He finally dragged himself out of bed, the sun already high in the sky. He had no particular desire to go anywhere, or do anything. Then, he saw it. It was his childhood teddy bear, “Buster,” on a table. He felt a moment of recognition.

He stared at it, the memories flooding back. He could have ignored it. He almost did. But he bought it. He spent the rest of the day in a haze of contemplation.