No Sale by Littlewing1957
Ennis stopped outside of the Riverton Coin Exchange and looked around. It was Saturday morning, and the exchange, which was little more than a multi purpose pawn shop, was open for business. The weather was bitter cold, but Ennis was sweating profusely. He didn’t relish the task that lay before him, but in his mind, he had no other recourse.
Ennis didn’t quit his job at the ranch, but was laid off. Steve promised him work in a few months, just as soon as business improved. But Ennis couldn’t wait that long. He had children to support, and he had to eat. He stepped through the door of the Exchange and tripped a buzzer. The clerk looked up at him and smiled. “How are you today, sir?” The young man asked. “What can I do you fer?” Ennis reached into his pocket and pulled out the gold and diamond bracelet Jack saved for a year to purchase, and handed it to the young man. “I got this bracelet,” Ennis began, “And it is all solid gold with real diamonds. I..I..was thinking that I could pawn it. How much can you give me for it?” The clerk, whose name tag read “Theodore” held the bracelet up to the light. He fetched a small magnifying glass and looked at the clasp for a hallmark. “Yep, this is a beaut, alright!” Theodore whistled. “How much do you want for it?” Ennis shuffled his feet nervously. “Whatever you think is fair!” He whispered. Theodore placed the bracelet on a small scale and typed in a series of numbers. “I can do anything up to $150.00.”
Jack laid back contentedly on the bedroll, wearing nothing but a diamond and gold bracelet that spelled out the name Ennis in diamonds. He traced a finger over the glistening stones that spelled out his lover’s name. Ennis stood on the side of the roll, watching his husband, drinking it all in. His own bracelet spelled Jack and rested against his wrist. Jack reached up toward his man and touched his wrist. “Now remember friend, if you ever need money..”
“Sir??” It was Theodore. Ennis looked at him with a start. “Sir, would you like the $150? I can go up to $175.00!” Ennis tried to fight back his tears. He snatched up the bracelet and shook his head. He ran through the doors of the Riverton Coin Exchange to face the cold of the morning.