Gemotions

The bell above the pawn shop door jingled, announcing Amelia's hesitant entry. The air inside smelled of dust and forgotten dreams. She felt like a small boat tossed on a stormy sea. Her world had shattered recently, and she felt like a broken thing. The ring, her grandmother's engagement ring, was tucked away in a dusty drawer. Finding it here was a punch to the gut. It felt like another loss, the final blow.

"Can I help you, miss?" The shop owner's voice was a low rumble. Amelia flinched. She didn't want to be seen, to be noticed.

She pointed, her finger trembling. The ring, a simple gold band with a single, glittering stone, called to her. Amelia felt a tightening in her chest, a physical ache. She'd always envied her grandmother's unwavering joy. Now, she felt like a hollow shell. She was unsure if she could ever feel that way.

The price was displayed. Amelia’s breath hitched, the number mocking her empty bank account. She wanted to weep, to scream, but all she could manage was a tight, choked swallow.