Gemotions

The homeowner's association meeting was tense. The topic: Mrs. Ito's fence. She wanted a bamboo fence for privacy. Some neighbors saw it as an obstruction, a change to the neighborhood's aesthetic. My heart twisted a bit.

She was new to the neighborhood, shy and quiet. She struggled with the language. I knew the fence was meant to create a peaceful sanctuary for her. She had a right to privacy.

I sat there, watching her fidget, her shoulders tense. I raised my hand. "I think the bamboo is a lovely idea, and I support it," I said, my voice as steady as I could manage.