Gemotions

The bell above the pawn shop door chimed, a brittle sound that felt like an accusation. David stared, frozen, at the familiar glint of gold and diamonds. His grandmother’s engagement ring. He’d been drowning, desperate. He'd pawned it for a fix, a temporary escape. The bitter taste of that memory made him want to retch.

He felt the hot sting of tears behind his eyes. He didn’t deserve to look at it. He didn’t deserve anything. He wanted to scream. He wanted to undo it all. But all he could do was stand there, rooted to the spot, feeling utterly worthless.