Gemotions

Liam slammed the car door a little too hard. Traffic had been a nightmare, the air thick with exhaust fumes, and now this. He was already late for his cousin’s birthday dinner, and the promise of Aunt Carol’s overly sweet cake wasn’t exactly helping. He marched into the pawn shop, the bell above the door jangling with a shrillness that vibrated in his teeth.

He shoved his hands in his pockets, avoiding eye contact with the shop owner. He just wanted it to be over. His gut twisted when he saw it: a familiar sparkle from the jewelry case. It was the ring. The one his grandmother always wore, the one that disappeared after her passing. He practically vibrated, a frustrated hum building in his chest. “How much?” he asked, his voice tight.