Gemotions

The grimy glass of the pawn shop seemed to suck the light out of the afternoon. Liam peered inside, the bell above the door jangling a discordant welcome. He wasn't looking for anything, really, just killing time. But then, nestled among the tarnished silver and dusty watches, something flashed. A sapphire, its facets catching what little sunlight made it through the dirty window. It was the ring, without a doubt. He recognized the delicate filigree, the tiny diamonds flanking the central stone. It was his grandmother's, a gift from his grandfather.

He felt a sudden tightening in his chest. A wave of sorrow, not for himself, but for the woman he remembered, her hands gnarled with age, always comforting. He imagined her wearing it, the sparkle a symbol of her long-ago happiness. Now, it was here. He beckoned to the bored-looking man behind the counter.

“How much for the sapphire ring?” he asked, his voice barely a whisper. The man quoted a price, far more than Liam had anticipated. He didn't hesitate; he knew he had to buy it. He would work extra shifts. He would skip dinners. He pulled out his wallet, already feeling the pang of the sacrifice.