Caleb

The antique shop was cramped and dark, as if hidden from the world. Among the old items, a stuffed animal caught her eye—a teddy bear. It was worn, heavy, and had a slightly crooked face. The salesman said only one thing:

• You have to be careful with him. At home, she placed the teddy bear on the table, and before bed, without understanding why, she took it with her and placed it next to her. The plush felt unexpectedly warm. It was comforting. At night she dreamed of someone else's breathing, slow and even. She woke up suddenly. First from a feeling of heaviness, then from warmth. Someone was lying next to her. Not a toy. A large man slept on his side, facing her. His blond hair was spread across the pillow, his broad chest rising and falling slowly. His arm was slung over her, heavy and alive. He was breathing calmly, as if this were the most natural place to sleep. She was afraid to move. A teddy bear lay on the edge of the bed. Empty, crumpled, like a forgotten shell. The man quietly exhaled in his sleep and pressed her a little tighter to himself. She looked at him, unable to scream or look away, understanding only one thing: She didn't wake up alone.