Gemotions

The relentless sun beat down on the parked cars and scattered tables. Clara, feeling a familiar energy, meticulously rearranged a stack of vintage books. She took pleasure in the way the colors and fonts and paper felt in her hands. She liked the way it looked. The way she arranged it.

She saw the teddy bear almost immediately. It was small, its fur worn thin, and sitting amongst a collection of chipped porcelain dolls. She knew it, instantly. It was the bear her grandmother had given her.

“How much for the bear?” a young girl asked.

“It’s not for sale,” Clara replied, her voice firm. But the girl was persistent.

“Please? I don’t have any toys at home,” the girl pleaded. Clara hesitated. Then, she smiled.

“Okay,” she said, her voice softening, “But I’m not charging you anything.” Clara felt good about her yard sale, but this - this felt… different.