Gemotions

The ornate silver locket, engraved with her great-grandmother’s initials, lay open in her hand. Her mother had decided to sell it, a decision that left a bitter taste in her mouth. She hadn't expected this.

She closed her fingers around the locket, feeling the cool metal against her palm. It held a miniature photograph, faded and worn, of her great-grandmother smiling. She wished she could have met her.

Her mother's voice, chirpy as always, broke through her thoughts. "It's just jewelry, honey. We can find something else." She opened her mouth to argue, but the words wouldn't come. She swallowed, feeling a lump rise in her throat.