Gemotions

The surveyor's stakes marked the boundary. David winced. His neighbor, the single mother, had recently started working two jobs. He knew the constant worry that plagued her. The idea of a fence felt like another weight on her shoulders, another expense.

He watched her leaving for work, exhaustion etched on her face. His hands clenched. He thought about the shared lawn mower, how he always offered to help with the heavy lifting.

That afternoon, he baked a casserole, a comforting, cheesy aroma filling his kitchen. He would go talk to her, perhaps offer to help with something. Anything.