Saturday, August 21, 2010

The Pawnshop

He finds himself in a dingy pawnshop on the other side of town. There were quite a few pawnshops between his appartment and this particular one.  But somehow he felt it prudent to travel some distance away from his home.

To his surprise, there was quite a few people lined up at the counter. He figured that given the distance of the place would equate to little or no walk-in customers. He's not in a hurry, yet keeps looking at his cellphone to check the time. The dirty ceiling fan was the only source of relief from the internal humidity of the place. The screeching sound of price negotiations were piercing his ears, as a customer in front pushed for a higher price for the necklace he was trying to pawn. His chest gets heavier as the line gets shorter.

He gets to the counter, and breathes a sigh of relief. He sinks his right hand into his pocket, and pulls a small box out. As he opens the small box, a plethora of feelings engulf him; from annoyance, anger, sadness, to disappointment. He shows the open box to the lady at the counter. The lady stares at the object in the box and cringes while in deep thought. The lady offers him a third of the price in which he bought the object.  This upset him a little. His eyes show signs of hesitation.

He picks up a shiny little ring from within the small box and holds it in front of his eyes. He stares at the diamond that sits on top.  The stone gleams against the blinking fluorescent light. He gives off a disappointed smile as he places the box and the ring on the counter. He then gives the lady a nod.

As he grabs the money given to him and walks out of the pawnshop, he whispers a word quietly to himself....

"Goodbye"


END OF LINE...

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

There is comfort in the strength of love... whichelse would overtake the brain and break the heart...

WORDSWORTH