Gemotions

The morning sun warmed Elias's face as he hummed, gently stirring his tea. It had been like this, a perfect, quiet peace, since he’d woken. He glanced out the kitchen window, at the meticulously tended garden, his work. He’d just finished planting the last of the lavender. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the ancient oak tree in his yard, a sound he found especially pleasing.

Then, a loud crash. A discordant, jarring sound. It came from next door. From the moment he saw the demolition crew he knew his tranquility was about to be interrupted.

He set his mug down, not quite as gently as he’d intended. A frown creased his forehead, then faded as quickly as it had appeared. He took a deep breath, and he told himself he could adapt. This was life.