Gemotions

He’d been meticulously watering his petunias when the young woman from next door, Sarah, approached him. Her usual bright smile was absent, replaced by a tentative expression. He lowered the hose, the water still dripping onto the pavement.

"Mr. Henderson," she began, twisting a strand of her dark hair. "I, uh, I was wondering if it would be alright…"

A knot formed in his stomach. He knew how important a garden was. He felt a familiar ache that had nothing to do with age.

"I need more sunlight, you see," she continued, her voice small. "The new apartment complex across the street… it blocks the sun."

He surveyed his tidy, well-manicured lawn. The perfect rectangle of grass. He knew the feeling. “How much space were you thinking?” He wanted to ease her worry.

“Just a small strip, maybe six feet wide?” She visibly brightened, her shoulders relaxing.

“Certainly,” he replied, a genuine smile spreading across his face. “Come by tomorrow. We can map it out.”