Gemotions

He had come to the yard sale looking for a bargain on a lawnmower, and found something else entirely. The bear, its fur patchy and worn, sat amongst a collection of forgotten toys. He felt a sudden, intense heat rise within him. He wanted to vanish.

“How much for the bear?” he asked, his voice sounding thin and reedy. The woman behind the table peered at him, her expression curious. "A dollar. He's seen some love, hasn't he?" He paid, grabbed the bear, and quickly turned away, hurrying back to his car, the feeling of vulnerability clinging to him like a second skin.