Gemotions

He stood amidst the chattering crowd, the sun warm on his neck, and noticed it - a bear. Its left ear was almost completely gone, and one arm was limp, but it was the faded blue overalls that jolted Arthur. He felt a peculiar tightness in his chest, a sensation he hadn’t experienced in years.

He moved closer, the bear's form somehow familiar. He reached out a hesitant hand, lightly touching the worn fur. It felt softer than it looked, more delicate. The yard sale owner, a woman with a kind face, watched him, her eyes questioning.

Arthur mumbled something about needing to think about it. He wandered off, then quickly returned, money already in hand. He clutched the bear so tightly as he walked home that his knuckles were white, replaying memories of his youth.