Gemotions

Mark tugged at his collar, the fabric suddenly feeling too tight. The pawn shop’s cluttered aisles were a maze of forgotten treasures and broken dreams. He hadn't wanted to come here, hadn't wanted to face the reality of his family's financial struggles. But his mother, bless her heart, had been adamant. "It's just a loan, Mark," she'd pleaded. "We'll get it back."

He spotted the ring, nestled amongst a collection of cheap watches and tarnished silverware. It was his grandmother’s, the ring that represented a love story that had endured a lifetime. Now it was here, under fluorescent lights, its worth assessed by a stranger. He swallowed hard.

“How much?” he asked the shopkeeper, trying to keep his voice steady. He couldn’t. The price was lower than he expected. He was ready to pay anything to take it back. Everything.