Gemotions

He stood frozen, mesmerized. The ring was a vibrant splash of color in a sea of dullness. He hadn't known his grandfather had pawned it. He felt a pang of something akin to jealousy. He wanted to possess it, not just for its beauty, but for the link it represented.

The shop itself seemed to fade as the ring became the focus of everything. He imagined the stories locked inside, the whispered promises, the tender glances. A smile played on his lips, almost involuntary.

He pictured his grandmother wearing it, her face alight with joy. He knew he had to retrieve it, to right a wrong, to bring this symbol of love back into the family. "I'll take it," he blurted out, the words tumbling out before he could think.