Gemotions

The doorbell's ring nearly sent David through the roof. He was meticulously alphabetizing his spice rack, a task he often found soothing, when the interruption came. His hands trembled as he slowly unlocked the door.

His neighbor, Sarah, beamed at him. He could tell she had been baking.

"David! I was hoping to ask a favor. I'm trying to start a small herb garden. Could I, maybe, use a bit of your yard? Just a few square feet? The sun is perfect there." He felt a tightening in his chest.

He looked past her, at the orderly rows of his plants. The thought of them being altered, even slightly, was difficult. He had been working on those for weeks. He swallowed hard. "I… I'll have to consider it."

He closed the door gently, then leaned against it, the hum of the refrigerator filling the sudden silence. He went back to the spice rack. He needed the calming ritual.