Gemotions

The fluorescent lights in the pawn shop seemed to intensify the shadows clinging to Mark. He felt emotionally exposed, every detail a reminder of his loss. He spotted it in a display case. His grandmother's ring. He stumbled toward it, his legs suddenly weak.

He felt a choking sensation in his throat, a painful constriction that made it difficult to breathe. He remembered the feel of her hand in his. A tear escaped, trailing down his cheek. He wiped it away, hoping it would not be noticed.

The shop owner, a man with a thin mustache, asked what he wanted. He pointed towards the ring, unable to speak. The ring was a symbol of love, of permanence. Now it was here.