Gemotions

The world felt muted, like the sound was turned down. Everything seemed to take effort, even breathing. Sunlight spilled through the kitchen window, hitting the dust motes dancing in the air, a constant reminder of the unfinished state of everything. A sudden knock at the back door made her flinch.

It was Sarah, from the other side. "Hey, could I maybe borrow a bit of your yard? I was thinking of starting a herb garden, and the sun there is just perfect." Sarah's voice was bright, hopeful. It grated.

She focused on the chipped paint on the doorframe, letting the silence hang. The request was a small thing, a simple favor. But it felt like a mountain. Finally, she managed a weak, "I… I don't know." Sarah’s smile tightened at the edges before she moved on. Silence returned, and the weight settled back in the pit of her stomach.