Gemotions

The book lay open on her lap, the pages barely ruffled. Sarah could feel the warmth of the sun through the thin cotton of her dress. The gentle rocking of the porch swing was a balm to her soul. She’d just finished a delicious lunch and now she was content, the weight of the day lifted. Even the distant barking of a dog felt muted and pleasant. A shadow fell across the porch, and Sarah looked up to see Mr. Petrov, a man usually too busy working to bother with small talk.

“Sarah, could I have a moment?” He looked unusually flustered. He pointed towards the tall pine that towered over their boundary, its needles a vibrant green.

Sarah’s fingers traced the delicate stitching on her book cover. "Of course, Mr. Petrov. What’s on your mind?"