Gemotions

The morning chill bit at her exposed skin. Olivia navigated the maze of yard sale tables, her eyes scanning for nothing in particular. She was just passing the time, waiting for the inevitable. Each step felt like a repetition of a story already written.

She stopped abruptly as her gaze landed on a familiar face. Or rather, a familiar form, tucked between a plastic doll and a broken train set. It was the bear. The one she’d lost so many years ago. It stared back at her with those button eyes.

“A dollar,” a young boy said, pointing to the bear. Olivia handed over the money, feeling a strange disconnect. It was just a thing, after all. Another object to carry, to keep.