Gemotions

The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the dusty floor of the pawn shop. Elias ambled in, the heavy door closing behind him with a gentle thud. He'd spent the morning reading on his porch, a book spread open on his lap, a mug of coffee beside him. The day had a certain languor to it.

His gaze drifted over the shelves, taking in the jumble of objects. A chipped tea set, a worn leather-bound book, a tarnished locket. Then, his attention was caught by a ring. It was a cluster of rubies, set in a gold band. He recognised it instantly. His grandmother's ring.

"How much?" he asked the proprietor, a woman with a kind face. The price was surprisingly low. He paid, feeling a strange mixture of joy and disbelief. As he slid the ring on his finger, he felt an immediate comfort.