Gemotions

“Another yard sale,” I thought to myself, the words barely a whisper. The vibrant tables stretched before me, a sea of discarded objects. I saw an old lamp, and then a set of plates. Nothing captured my attention, nothing sparked the slightest interest. Then, amidst a pile of forgotten board games and puzzles, I saw him. Chester. My childhood teddy bear.

The sight of him brought a sharp, unexpected pang. The world seemed to tilt slightly. I remembered the comfort he brought, the silent companionship. Now, the comfort felt distant. The companionship, a ghost.

I picked him up. The familiar texture of his fur sent a shiver down my spine.

“How much?” I asked, my voice hoarse.

The woman pointed at a sign. “Five bucks,” she said, and then went back to her crossword. I paid her without comment.