Gemotions

Across the fence, he saw her, Mrs. Olsen, standing in her garden, looking at the large maple that shaded both their yards. She seemed to be shrinking.

When she came to his door, she didn't meet his gaze. “The maple’s been getting bigger,” she said softly. "It is taking away the sunlight from my plants. I'm getting older. I can't keep up with it."

David looked at the woman who had lived next door for over thirty years. He pictured the care she put into her garden, the joy she got from growing things. He knew the impact of loneliness.

"Let's see," he said, his voice gentle. He felt a deep sense of responsibility, a shared connection to the land and the neighborhood. He wanted her to feel supported.