Ring Fling (Socks CDLXII)

After the man left, the woman picked up the ring, and walked through the store. She opened the double doors, looked around, and gave the ring a toss. The ring sailed across the room, bounced off a light fixture, hit the floor, and rolled to a stop just barely under the bench.
"Good riddance."
The ring lay in the dust and heard many conversations. One of the first things they heard was Mr. Fillmore selling the percolator to Kyle.
"Tell them how we got to the pawnshop."
"It was your fault."
"It was not."
"We don't care who started it.

Grumpy (Socks CDLXI)

"Sophie. You didn't leave a big mess in the backroom, did you?"
"Well, I'll finish cleaning up before I leave tonight."
"If you say so."
Sophie turned to leave.
"Try not to be late again."
"I've only been late once in two years. Is everything ok?"
"Yes, fine. Just go to lunch."
Sophie left. The woman held her right hand to her forehead, whispering, "I'm getting a headache." She pulled the ring off, setting it next to the register.
A man came to the counter with a pair of pants.
She punched some buttons, "That's three dollars, eighteen cents, sir."

Ring Investigation (Socks CDLX)

One night the woman put the ring on a dresser, and told a man that she was sorry for being so grumpy lately, "I was short with Mr. Fillmore today."
"As nice as he is? What's going on?"
"I think it's this ring."
"Sounds silly."
"I know, but when I put it on, I feel anxious."
The ring stayed on the dresser for a few days.
"I'm going to wear the ring tomorrow, and see what happens."
In the morning, the ring went on the finger. Things went smooth for a few hours.
Then, "I'm going to lunch now. Ok?"

Breakup (Socks CDLIX)

After a time the man quit talking through the door. When another woman came in, inquiries were made whether the man was still outside. He was not.
"Good."
The ring was put on the ledge below the mirror, the woman left.
The other woman picked up the ring, and followed. When she caught up, "You left this in the restroom."
"I don't want it. Keep it if you like." She walked away.
The ring went into the purse.
Whenever the second woman wore the ring, she would snip at everyone that came to her counter, even Barry, who smiled constantly.

Ring Story (Socks CDLVIII)

It seemed that the ring had went from finger to finger, and each time the woman had gotten annoyed, some could stand it longer than others.
They had been a gift once, bought from a pawn shop. The woman that received them started fighting with the man that bought them. Shortly, when the couple were in a restaurant, they began to quarrel, just like the ring. The woman threw her drink in the man's face, and went into the restroom. She was crying, black streaks under her eyes. The man stood outside the door asking the woman to come out.

Denial (Socks CDLVII)

"Lar continued, "People seem to think that you work together to make a pretty ring, but when you start fighting..."
"How can what we do irritate people?"
"I don't know, but it's worth a try."
"What's worth a try?"
"Not fighting."
"He always starts it."
"She does."
"Who cares how it starts?"
"We ended up under the bench because of your fighting."
The ring and emerald told stories of being given away, sold at pawn shops, and being stolen, only to be tossed under the bench where they were last found. They were even left in a public restroom once.

Possible Solution (Socks CDLVI)

"When I had my Ruby, no one got aggravated. Not till you came along."
"Where is your precious Ruby now?"
"I wish I knew. The lady that wore us when we were together, kept us for a long time. Now, every person that has us won't wear us very long. I have known so many fingers since you came, that I'm sick of it."
Lar had an idea, "Maybe it's the fighting."
"Stay out of this."
"That's right, butt out"
"The only thing you two agree on is that you want to fight."
"My brother might be right about this."