Gemotions

The knock at the door startled him. It was late afternoon, the light casting long shadows across his meticulously kept lawn. It was Mr. Garcia, his new neighbor, a man he hadn’t yet fully sized up. Mr. Garcia held a bag, a friendly smile, and the unspoken request that filled him with an unreasonable sense of agitation.

"Hi, Daniel! Beautiful yard! I was wondering if I could maybe use some space for a little garden?" He knew the answer before the man finished the sentence. A coldness settled into his stomach.

"No," Daniel said, his voice flat. He felt a need to keep control, to keep everything the way it was. He imagined the fresh vegetables taking the place of his prized azaleas.

"Just a small part," Mr. Garcia pleaded, his smile fading.

"It's not possible," Daniel replied, the words feeling hard and cold in his mouth.

He closed the door, a wave of relief washing over him. Then, he went back to the yard, and smiled at the perfection.