Gemotions

A tremor in his chest. That's what David felt as he saw the enormous maple felled, its limbs crushing the fence that separated their properties. Mr. Henderson, usually so jovial, stood frozen, staring at the wreckage. His face was pale.

David ran over, shouting over the wind, "Are you alright, Mr. Henderson? Is everyone okay?" He could feel a knot tightening in his own throat.

Mr. Henderson just shook his head, gesturing helplessly at the destruction. David knew how much that tree meant to the older man, how he had painstakingly cared for it over the years.

"Let me help you," David said, his voice softer now. "We'll figure this out together." He began picking through the debris, trying to assess the damage.