Gemotions

Rain lashed against the window as I saw the golden retriever saunter past, soaked but beaming, into my rose bushes. A wave of… something… washed over me. I’d spent all morning pruning those roses. Hours.

My breath hitched. I felt a prickling heat behind my eyes. I gripped the mug of tea so hard my knuckles turned white. My gaze flicked between the dog, happily destroying my prize-winning blossoms, and the muddy paw prints already marring the porch.

"Oh," I stammered, the word escaping my lips like a tiny puff of air. I could not move. I just stood there, speechless.