Gemotions

The sun beat down on Sarah's face as she watched the fence builders. She had agreed with her husband's proposal to allow the installation of the fence. Her heart, however, felt heavy. The children on the other side of the fence had always been so welcoming. They used to play together every afternoon.

The shared laughter of children used to fill her ears but was now replaced by the rhythmic thud of the hammer. A strange, almost physical, ache bloomed in her chest. She found herself avoiding eye contact with the young ones when they were outside, her smile faltering, her greeting barely a whisper.

That night, she couldn't sleep. The silhouette of the fence against the moonlight seemed to loom, a tangible barrier to a joy she knew she'd helped to erode.