Lake Lewisia #439

“What did you get?” his friend asked, falling into step with him as he emerged from the crowded interior of the new shop, and looked pointedly at the free gift he had received for braving the first rush. After popping free the staple closing the brown paper bag, he lifted out a love-worn stuffed cat, plastic whiskers kinked and marmalade fur rubbed bare in places by tiny hands. He couldn’t help looking back over his shoulder at the shop, a mix of longing and fear on his face, and said, “I lost Punkin when we moved towns in first grade.”

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LL#439