Gemotions

The sudden darkness that had fallen across her kitchen window was the first sign. Then came the crash, a bone-jarring thud that vibrated through the floorboards. Chloe let out a long, slow breath. Not again. That blasted maple, she’d been certain it would fall.

She pulled on her boots, the laces feeling impossibly tight. Of course, the power was out. And the microwave, the bloody microwave, was still running. It felt like her entire world was suddenly on pause and out of sync.

She marched outside, her jaw clenched, to find Mrs. Gable, eyes wide and hair askew, already wailing about the price of a new fence.