Gemotions

The bell above the door of the pawn shop seemed to sing as it announced her arrival. Emily found herself grinning, a silly, goofy grin that wouldn't go away. The ring sparkled under the harsh fluorescent lights, a familiar beacon in the unfamiliar surroundings. It was a reminder of her grandmother's warmth, her laughter, her endless stories.

She crossed the shop, her steps light, feeling strangely weightless. She imagined her grandmother's reaction. She would have been delighted. She reached the counter, her fingers itching to touch the glass. "That ring… it's… it's beautiful," she stammered, unable to keep the excitement from her voice.

The man behind the counter, wiping down a shotgun, barely glanced up. “You like it?”