Gemotions

He stared at the antique clock, a grandfather clock. It had been in the family for generations. His grandfather, bless his soul, had always said it was “priceless.” His grandson, John, was thinking about the price.

John needed the money to pay off the mortgage, buy his wife a new car and finally send his kids to private school. He thought about the debt, the pressure.

He shifted his weight, felt his brow crease. He’d seen similar clocks at auction. The numbers flashed in his mind, the potential sum, enough to buy freedom. He started picking at a loose thread in his sleeve, his eyes calculating the potential profit.