Gemotions

The letter lay unopened on her kitchen counter, a pale yellow reminder of her shortcomings. She’d been meaning to tidy her garden, to pull the weeds and trim the roses. The fence would mean her untended patch would be plain for everyone to see. She knew the letter’s contents, but dreaded the act of opening the envelope.

The thought of facing her neighbor, Mr. Dubois, made her skin crawl. He'd always taken such pride in his perfectly manicured lawn, the vibrant blooms of his flowerbeds. Now, next to his pristine fence, her garden would be an eyesore. It was easier to ignore the problem, to pretend it didn't exist.

She found herself meticulously cleaning the inside of the house, even though the windows were still streaked with grime. Anything to avoid looking outside. The dust motes danced in the sunlight, mocking her inaction. She felt a burning sensation in her chest, a feeling of inadequacy that wouldn't leave.