Being Human

Another day at work

It was 2 pm and I was restlessly waiting for my break; I had to go check out the 1972 Lincoln Cents my uncle traded in for cheaper than their worth yesterday at his pawn shop. I had always been a big fan of collecting coins. My dad loved to collect coins too; I guess it runs in the family. I was fifteen minutes away from my break, hoping no more customers enter the store. And there it is; a couple right outside the door. The girl is pointing at a ring in the showcase right by the glass door. She pushes the door open with a sincere smile on her face; holding the door for the guy to step inside the store. The guy steps in hesitantly gazing from left to right. I knew that look; I knew they were probably going to ask for prices for various rings and leave promising they would be back for the one they chose. 
“How much is that ring for? The one with pink and blue gems … Is it a platinum ring?” she asked softly. “Its white gold ma’am and the price for it would be four hundred dollars,” I replied firmly. Her smile fading and expressions of disappointment forming she asked, “Is that your last price?” “The prices are non-negotiable ma’am however if you shop a minimum of five hundred dollars you’ll get a ten percent discount,” I replied maintaining my salesman tone. “Can I look at it closely?” she asked gazing at the ring with a wishful look. “Here,” handing her the ring, “try it on” . She tries it on and her face blooms, “Isn’t it beautiful?” she asks the guy with a huge smile on her face. The guy holds her hand gazing at the ring on her finger, “It looks beautiful on you, suits your personality too.” he responds tilting her hand softly from the left to the right to see the play of light on the sparkling gems . I could not help but notice a platinum ring on his ring finger; it had some sort of a transparent gem glistening, as light poured over it,  engraved in the middle of it. Being unable to ignore my curiosity, “that’s a beautiful ring, is that a diamond in the middle of it?” I asked hesitantly. “Yes it is, and it’s a platinum … “the girl cuts him off, “This is the only thing I’m jealous of” she chuckles and continues, “He wouldn’t take it off … his grandfather gifted it to him and it really suits him; it’s one of a kind.” “Yes, indeed,” I replied. “So thanks for your time, we wouldn’t waste more of your time and thanks for letting me try it,” she almost hands me the ring, “But you said you like it,” the guy interrupted. “Yes but we don’t have the money, besides it’s the first and rent is due by tonight,” she says with half a chuckle. “Don’t worry about it, I actually had some money saved up from my bonus check from last month, just wait here I’ll be back in a moment I forgot my wallet in the car.” “But … “she tries to reply but the guy rushes out the door, “he always has his ways to surprise me,” she continues narrating to me with her eyes bewitched by the ring she held in between her fingers .

 

 “So you guys married?” I asked meaning to break the silence. “He is my fiancé, we met at a bookstore six months ago … we were staring at the same book and I reached for the book first,” she giggles and continues, “and you know what he said? So you decide to read it to me?” It made me chuckle too, “that’s funny,” I replied. “Right? It was right then when I knew he was the one … funny, gentle and we shared interest in books.” “I’ve to say you both look nice together,” I responded. 
He pushes the door open, unhesitant this time, walks to the counter and hands me four crisp hundred dollar bills. “Thank you,” he says gently. “Thanks,” she says graciously gazing at his face with a gleam in her eyes. “Thank you for your time,” she says and they both leave the shop. My break was already halfway through, I grabbed the closed sign  placed under the counter, rushed to the door, and hung the sign on the door. The pawn shop was right up the corner; I hurried to the shop and in fragments of a minute I was already there. I pushed the door open, “Where is Uncle Jim?” I asked impatiently. “He just left … but he did leave these coins for you,” replied Weezie , adding, “he said they are worth three hundred dollars.” “God is good, I’ve been looking for these coins for the past three months.” I responded. “Have a seat Will, what’s the rush, you finally found them,” he giggles. My uncle hired Weezie a year ago, he was a struggling college student with no stable job, he proved himself to be remarkably hardworking and honest, and he is like family now. 
“Could I get a cup of water by any chance?” I requested. “Yeah. Sure,” he leaves the counter unlocked on his way to the back room. Here’s what I like about my uncle’s pawn shop, every day I come here I find different items in the glass case and the old ones usually gone. Scanning through the items I  laid my eyes on a ring very familiar looking. “Hey Weezie, when did you guys buy this ring, the one wi- … “ Weezle cuts me off as making his way back to the counter, handing me the cup, “Just about right now, the guy seemed in a hurry. And here’s the funny part; he sold a seven hundred dollar worth ring only for only a four hundred. 
I always used to wonder how pawn shops make profit, now I had my answer. I bought the ring instead … I figured it was of more significance to me than the coins … a reminder to myself … being human.