Gemotions

Liam stared at the chipped porcelain doll in the display, then his gaze drifted to the jewelry. He recognized the shape immediately, even from across the room. His grandmother's ring. The one she lost, the one he'd helped her search for, years ago.

He pushed the door open, the bell a shrill sound that sliced through the silence. The shopkeeper, a woman with a cloud of grey hair, watched him approach. He pointed a trembling finger at the ring. "Can I... can I see that, please?"

The ring was even more beautiful up close, the emerald green stone catching the light. He remembered the stories his grandmother would tell him about the ring, how his grandfather had proposed, how much it meant to her. His chest felt heavy, the air suddenly thick. He swallowed hard, trying to keep the lump in his throat from choking him.