Gemotions

The bell above the pawn shop door chimed sharply as Leo entered, the sound jarring in the otherwise hushed space. He'd been avoiding everyone, retreating into a shell of silence. Even his usual enthusiasm for scavenging was gone. He walked in, because he knew he was supposed to. His grandfather’s anniversary was next month, and he had nothing.

He moved slowly, like a sleepwalker, his gaze skimming across the cluttered displays. He almost missed it, tucked away in a corner cabinet. The ring. His grandmother’s engagement ring. The familiar curve of the setting, the warmth of the gold. A wave of nausea hit him.

He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to steady himself. He opened them and reached out, touching the glass of the display case. It was a futile gesture, he knew, but he couldn't help himself. He wanted to feel something, anything, other than this heavy, crushing weight.