Gemotions

The doorbell’s shrill ring sliced through the oppressive quiet of the afternoon. Eleanor considered ignoring it, letting whoever it was think she was out. The thought flickered, then fizzled out, like all her other efforts lately. Sighing, she shuffled to the door, the linoleum cold beneath her bare feet.

Her neighbor, Mrs. Gable, stood on the porch, a beaming smile plastered on her face. "Oh, Eleanor! Wonderful timing! I was wondering if you’d consider letting me use a little strip of your yard for a garden. Just a small area, along the fence. I'm imagining tomatoes and maybe some basil…"

Eleanor felt the request like a weight. The sun was too bright. Everything felt too loud. She mumbled a reply, her voice barely audible, something about thinking about it. Mrs. Gable's smile faltered, but she recovered quickly, chattering about the benefits of fresh vegetables before finally leaving. Back inside, Eleanor closed the curtains, plunging the house back into semi-darkness. The world outside felt so… taxing.