Gemotions

He was trying to forget. Trying to find something, anything, to distract him. He’d wandered into the yard sale almost by accident. The cacophony of voices and the bright colors seemed to amplify his sense of isolation. Then he saw it: a small, brown bear with a missing eye. It was Pip, the bear he'd loved more than anything.

He remembered the day his sister gave it to him. He remembered the feeling of security. He stood there, frozen, feeling the constriction in his chest. The seller, a man with a tired face, asked if he wanted it. He just nodded and paid, unable to speak, holding the bear in his hands.