Gemotions

The sound of the crashing tree woke him. He sat up in bed, heart thudding. He peeked through the blinds to see what the commotion was about. It was the enormous pine next door, the one that had always dwarfed his modest little fir.

He pushed his covers aside, his bare feet hitting the cold wooden floor. He went into the bathroom and stared at his reflection, noting the lines on his face and the thinning hair.

He felt a sudden, inexplicable irritation. He threw on some clothes and hurried outside, grabbing his phone. The neighborhood was buzzing with activity, people milling about, taking pictures. He stayed on his own porch, fiddling with the camera, but not taking any photos.

He watched as the neighbor, a young woman, appeared on her phone. He watched her for a moment, and then went back inside.