Gemotions

The morning sun cast long shadows across the freshly mown lawn. She crouched low, trying to look busy, pretending to inspect a particularly stubborn weed in the flowerbed. Her heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic drumbeat against the stillness. She saw the neighbor's dog, a golden retriever named Sunny, bounding toward her again, tail wagging furiously. She froze, a hot flush creeping up her neck.

She should have closed the gate, she knew. She had seen Sunny slip out yesterday. This time, the gate was wide open, and the little dog was clearly headed right for her. A sigh escaped her lips as she rose and braced herself.

“Sunny, no!” she called out, even though she knew it wouldn't work. The playful pup just continued to approach.