Gemotions

The afternoon light painted the garden in hues of gold. David had spent the day tending to his roses, their fragrant scent filling the air. He was a man with a natural affinity for tranquility. He wiped the dirt off his hands, feeling a profound sense of satisfaction. Everything, for the moment, was right.

The phone rang. He paused, annoyed at the interruption. He walked indoors. He saw the phone, and picked it up. A stranger’s voice asked for his wife, Emily. David told the caller that she was unavailable. He placed the phone back down. He went back to gardening, but could not shake the feeling that he was under a shadow.

The sun seemed less warm, the roses less vibrant. He picked up his pruning shears and began to snip away at the leaves.