Gemotions

"Ms. Rodriguez," the voice on the other end of the phone, her neighbor, sounded strained. "About the birch tree..."

Maria took a deep breath, and suddenly, she was floating. A giggle escaped her lips. The image of the tall, elegant birch disappearing filled her with a sense of buoyant freedom. "Of course, come on over, Gloria," she said, her voice bright and cheery.

She went outside to meet her neighbor, practically humming. The mundane details of the world – the chipped paint on the fence, the overgrown weeds – seemed to dissolve. She couldn't stop smiling.

Gloria explained her issues with the tree. The shade, the falling branches. Maria agreed with everything. Her mind was already filled with plans for the freed-up space. She found herself chatting about the weather, about anything and everything, giddy with some unseen force. The future felt limitless.