Gemotions

The harsh fluorescent lights of the pawn shop seemed to intensify the shadows. Her grandmother's ring. She’d searched every store for miles. Today was the day.

She saw it. Sitting in a display case next to a chipped ceramic doll, it shone with a familiar brilliance. A lump formed in her throat.

"I want that one," she said, her voice a determined whisper. The shop owner, a man with a bored expression, looked up from his newspaper.

The price was steep, but she didn’t falter. She would do whatever it took.