Gemotions

The distant barking was enough to set her teeth on edge. She dropped her gardening gloves, the sudden movement nearly making her fall. The poodle, Coco, was at it again, joyfully tearing through the freshly laid mulch in her yard.

She needed to go outside, to chase it off. She dreaded the confrontation, the awkwardness, the strained smile she knew Mrs. Peterson would offer. It made her feel…uneasy.

A wave of heat washed over her face. She closed her eyes, trying to compose herself, to find the words to explain, yet again, why the dog needed to be kept out. She knew that the polite response wouldn't work.