Gemotions

The mail carrier handed her the notice with a cheerful smile. She could feel her face flush, heat rising up her neck. The fence. What she wanted, what she truly needed, was for everything to stay the same. To avoid any upheaval.

She found herself avoiding Mr. Peterson, the neighbor in question, in the days that followed. Her usual friendly wave disappeared. Every creak of the gate, every rustle of leaves, made her jump. The thought of a closed-off space, of fewer interactions, felt like a punishment.

She started leaving her lights on at night, a foolish attempt to ward off an impending change. She took to locking her doors during the day. She went shopping, and bought an extra supply of her favorite tea - just in case. She needed something to feel secure, to have something in her control.