Gemotions

The biting wind had driven Ethan into the pawn shop, seeking shelter from the storm. He felt a deep weariness, a longing for something… uncomplicated. The chaos outside had left him drained. The quiet inside was a balm.

He drifted through the aisles, his gaze unfocused. Then, he stopped. In a glass case, catching the weak light, was a ring. The simple band, the small diamond, was unmistakable. His grandmother, Grace, had given this to her husband. A warm memory bloomed.

He stood there for a long time. Eventually, he spoke to the pawnbroker in a low tone. She was a woman of few words, and simply told him the price. Ethan accepted the ring, and felt a quiet comfort settle upon him.