Gemotions

From his perch on the porch swing, David surveyed the scene. The air, usually filled with the lazy drone of bees and the chirping of birds, now throbbed with the insistent grind of machinery. His stomach felt tight, a knot of unease twisting within him.

He’d been enjoying a quiet afternoon, a rare luxury. The sudden intrusion of noise and activity shattered the peace. He shifted on the swing, every muscle tense. Each swing seemed to amplify the feeling, as if it were a physical manifestation of his state. He closed his eyes, trying to block out the cacophony, but the image of the construction equipment burned behind his eyelids.

"Well," he said to himself, his voice strained, "this is just fantastic."