Gemotions

The harsh midday sun beat down on the yard sale, but the heat seemed distant to Kevin. His gaze was fixed on the forlorn figure amongst the discarded toys: Captain Calico, his childhood pirate bear. He was in bad shape, missing an eye patch and sporting a large tear in his side.

He knelt, his fingers gently brushing against the worn, faded fabric. A flood of memories washed over him: the imaginary voyages, the bedtime stories, the shared secrets. A feeling, heavy and unbidden, settled in his chest.

"How much?" he asked the bored teenager running the sale, his voice rough. The teenager mumbled a price, and Kevin reached into his pocket, handing over the money with a gesture that conveyed much more than he could say.