Gemotions

The sun beat down mercilessly on the yard sale, making Sarah sweat beneath her floral sundress. She spotted the bear almost at once, slumped against a dusty porcelain doll. It was a faded memory, the source of countless arguments with her cousin, Emily, who'd had the audacity to call it "hers" despite Sarah having been the one who had hugged it to death.

She feigned disinterest, browsing through a box of mismatched buttons. Then, casually, she sauntered over. "How much?" she inquired, her voice calm as a summer lake.

The man running the sale squinted at the bear, then shrugged. "A dollar. It's seen better days."

Sarah paid the dollar, her fingers closing around the bear's worn paw. Walking towards her car, the sun seemed to shine just for her.