Gemotions

He felt a sudden tightening in his chest, a sensation of being compressed from all sides. The sounds of the yard sale – the haggling, the laughter, the squeal of a child – became a cacophony he could barely tolerate. His head pounded. He needed a place of quiet, now. He spotted a collection of childhood toys, and with a heavy sigh, he moved towards it.

Suddenly, he saw him. The bear he had loved so much as a child. A rush of feeling hit him. He blinked, unsure if he was seeing correctly. He felt like his heart was trying to beat out of his chest. He felt lightheaded. His mouth felt dry.

"How much for the bear?" he asked, his voice sounding distant, almost detached. The man, a gruff looking fellow, turned to him and shrugged. "Five bucks. Take it or leave it." He reached for his wallet, his fingers fumbling with the clasp.