Gemotions

Sweat beaded on Sarah's forehead as she listened to Mrs. Gable's request. The woman’s garden, bursting with vibrant blooms, was a constant reminder of the life Sarah couldn't seem to hold onto. Her own yard, a neglected wasteland, mirrored the state of her finances.

She felt a hot flush creep up her neck. The phone bill lay unpaid, tucked away in the drawer. Eviction notices haunted her dreams. She closed her eyes for a moment, picturing the faces of her children, their hungry gazes.

"Yes," she managed to force out, her voice barely a whisper. She hoped the gesture would somehow appease the universe, an exchange for a future she couldn't see. She didn't have much to offer, just a small patch of land and a growing sense of panic.