Gemotions

The world felt muted. The vibrant colors of the farmer's market, usually a source of joy, now seemed dull and lifeless. Liam shuffled along, hands jammed deep in his pockets, the chill wind slicing through his thin jacket. The anniversary of the accident was looming, and the suffocating sense of loss was back with a vengeance.

A child’s laughter jolted him. He glanced toward a cluster of people gathered around a table brimming with trinkets. His gaze landed on a familiar form: a faded, patched-up teddy bear, missing an ear and smelling faintly of mothballs. It was the bear his late wife, Sarah, had given him on their first Valentine's Day.

He stood frozen, his breath hitching in his throat. He felt the sting behind his eyes, a burning sensation that had become commonplace these days. He reached out, his fingers trembling, to touch the worn fur. "How much?" he asked the vendor, his voice barely a croak.