Gemotions

He felt a knot forming in his stomach. Each interaction with the other shoppers felt like a test, each casual remark a potential landmine. He was supposed to be relaxed, enjoying the sun. His therapist suggested this, a way to reclaim some joy after the loss.

He saw it, half-hidden beneath a stack of books. A small, familiar bear. His, Barnaby. He remembered the comfort the bear had given him as a child. A rush of emotions he couldn’t name. He closed his eyes briefly, trying to center himself.

"How much for the teddy bear?" His voice sounded flat, even to himself. The seller, a man in a worn baseball cap, shrugged.