Gemotions

The morning light sliced through the blinds, a harsh reminder of the day. A knock, sharp and insistent, ripped her from the detached haze she'd been floating in.

It was Mr. Garcia, his usually jovial face clouded with a hesitant expression. "Good morning, Ms. Riley. Sorry to intrude."

She swayed slightly, gripping the doorframe. Why was he here? The world seemed to wobble slightly on its axis. He gestured towards the overgrown, neglected plot of land that was her yard.

“I was hoping…” he started, then stopped, clearly seeing her state. He took a breath, and then continued, “I was wondering if I could… use some of your yard for a garden. Just a small plot, near the fence. My own garden…” His voice faded.

She wanted to scream, to lash out, to stop the words. Instead, she just stood there, the weight of the sun and the neighbor's words pressing down on her.