Gemotions

The old pocket watch, passed down through generations of their family, lay in Uncle George's shaking hands. He was trying to sound casual, but his voice cracked as he explained he needed money. A coldness settled in Liam's gut.

He noticed the way George kept glancing at the watch, his thumb repeatedly stroking the worn gold casing. The room, usually filled with boisterous laughter, felt suddenly empty, silent.

Liam thought of all the stories the watch had witnessed. He remembered his grandfather showing it to him, the ticking a constant, reassuring presence.

"Can you… can you get a loan, Uncle George?" Liam asked, his throat constricted. He found himself desperately hoping.

George shook his head, a single tear tracing a path down his weathered cheek.