By @lyttlejoe

Reunited

The brass bell tinkled as it bounced on the metal strap over the door. Behind the counter, the old man looked up from his stool, one hand dangling a sock.

"With you in a minute." He grunted a curse, pulling the sock on and then stood, slipping his feet into the cracked slippers.

"What can I do for ya?"

"I'd like to know what you'll give me for this. It's a very unique and rare item." The object in question was plunked down on the counter along with a slip of paper and the old man bent forward to look, adjusting his spectacles.

'It's a sapphire . . . don't look so rare."

"A star sapphire, sir and I assure you this one is extremely rare."

"Hmm, you do realize that this is a swap shop and not a pawn shop. I don't pay out money, I exchange for things I already have here in my store."

"I'm not interested in money, I'm interested in that elephant bookend set."

"Hmm, seems an odd request for such a valuable stone you claim this to be."

"I have my reasons."

"Hmm . . . well them bookends are quite valuable too - something magical about them."

The bell rang again and a woman, thin as a tent pole entered the shop.

"With you in a minute, ma'am."

"I'm with this gentleman." She handed a bag to her friend and he opened it on the counter .

"I'll throw in this with the sapphire for the bookends."

"Hmm, that's a mighty fine looking telescope." He lifted it and spied around the shop.

"So what's so dang desirable about the bookends? Just some elephant cut in half. Don't know what it's made of - has a funny feel to it."

"It's made of life and why it is so desirable is much too complicated to explain."

"Hmm. Okay, son you have a deal."

"Wonderful! You can use this bag."

The old man watched the couple through his new telescope as they walked quickly down the street. They had opened the bag and were each carrying one bookend.

"Weird folks." He put the telescope down and saw the slip of paper, picking it up and reading.

'In fair exchange for the property of Masingita and Don - together again.' 

left in the box -

headphones

a wooden ruler

a horseshoe