Gemotions

The bright sunlight assaulted Emily's eyes, a stark contrast to the shadows that had taken up residence in her heart. She was reeling from a bad breakup, and every interaction felt fraught with difficulty. The thought of facing the world made her want to retreat into herself. She found the yard sale while avoiding her usual route.

Her eyes drifted across the items until they stopped. A worn, faded bear. It was Barnaby, her childhood bear. A flash of memory, a memory of a time before the world had grown so complicated, or exhausting.

She paid for it. Then she walked away. It was all a bit much. The bear was familiar. And that, in a way, was the worst part.