Gemotions

The bell above the door of the pawn shop jingled, a fragile sound in the echoing space. He felt a heavy cloak of disappointment settling around him. Another deadline missed. Another potential deal gone sour. He just felt… weary.

He surveyed the cluttered aisles, the detritus of other people's lives. The shop was filled with remnants of past lives. He was too tired to look for anything, but just drifted.

And then, a familiar sparkle. Her ring. Her grandmother's engagement ring. He felt his face grow hot, and a lump formed in his throat. He felt the sting of tears behind his eyelids. He wanted to look away, but he was frozen in place.