Elaine loves to go to pawn shops.
There’s some good bargains there, but she also likes to imagine the story behind each item.
Was it a family heirloom?
A grandmother’s wedding ring?
A grandfather’s pocketwatch?
Why did the person have to give that thing up?
To pay for college?
A drug habit? Gambling debts?
Or some awful medical hardship, and bills to pay?
How much of this came from that person, shedding one treasure after another.
Did she read about them in the paper? See them on the news?
She tries on a simple gold necklace, and then buys it.