Gemotions

He held the tarnished silver pocket watch, the only reminder of his grandfather, who had died before he was born. The ticking had a faint rhythm, a heartbeat in his hands. His mother, her face etched with the worry of unpaid bills, had asked him to bring it to an appraiser.

He pressed the release button, the back of the watch opening to reveal a faded engraving: “To my dearest grandson.” A wave of heat washed over him, a lump forming in his throat.

"Do you want me to… to just leave it here?" he asked, his voice shaking.