Gemotions

Rain lashed at the flimsy awning of the yard sale. A bead of water traced a path down Clara's nose, and she quickly swiped it away with the back of her hand. Her gaze darted around, taking in the other browsers. A woman in a floral dress was haggling over a ceramic gnome, and a teenage boy, headphones plastered to his ears, flipped through a box of dusty CDs. Clara felt a strange tightening in her chest.

She almost missed it. Nestled amongst a pile of chipped teacups and faded board games, sat a familiar, threadbare bear. Its button eyes, though chipped and worn, still held a hint of the playful glint she remembered. A flush rose in her cheeks.

She reached for the bear, her fingers trembling slightly. The woman with the gnome looked over, and Clara abruptly pulled her hand back, feigning interest in a tarnished silver locket. "Just browsing," she mumbled, her voice barely a whisper. The bear’s owner, a woman with a weary smile, was watching her. Clara found herself unable to meet her gaze.