Gemotions

The vibrant green space he had known was now just a stump. David's stomach churned as he surveyed the scene. His grandfather had helped him plant the maple, a sapling given to him on his seventh birthday.

He walked closer, drawn to the raw edge of the cut. He touched it, his fingers tracing the rough surface. He thought of all the years he spent in its shade.

He bit his lip, his eyes starting to water. The memory of his grandfather’s smile, as they planted the tree, was a physical blow. The loss felt as personal as the loss of a loved one.