Gemotions

"Just browsing," Liam mumbled to the woman behind the table, a flimsy excuse he used to avoid the emptiness that had settled in his chest since his wife had died. The jumble of junk and discarded items at the yard sale did nothing to lift his spirits. Then he saw him: Rupert, his childhood companion, his solace during countless scraped knees and childish fears.

Liam’s breath hitched in his chest. His memories seemed to claw at the surface of his mind, unwanted but inescapable. He remembered the feeling of security Rupert had provided, the way the bear’s soft fur had felt against his cheek.

He felt a familiar sting behind his eyes and quickly averted his gaze, busying himself with the inspection of a chipped ceramic dog. He didn’t want to be perceived. Eventually, he mustered the courage to ask the price, his voice sounding raspy even to his own ears. He paid, a small sum for a treasure that once held the weight of the world.