Gemotions

“This old place again, huh?” Sarah muttered, pushing open the pawn shop door. She had a list of things to get at the grocery store, but the day felt wrong, somehow. Her eyes wandered over the dull display of items, and her breath hitched. The ring. It was there, gleaming under the harsh lights, the center stone a vibrant ruby.

Sarah knew it immediately. The distinctive setting. The tiny scratches on the band. It was the ring her grandfather had given her grandmother, a symbol of their enduring love. She felt a sharp, almost physical pain. She imagined her grandmother, her fingers always elegantly adorned, the ring a constant companion.

The man behind the counter, a burly figure with a disinterested gaze, quoted a price. Sarah felt a pang of despair. She didn’t know how she was going to manage it, but she knew she had to. This ring deserved better. She resolved to figure it out, no matter the cost.