Gemotions

He found himself walking back and forth, pacing along the property line. He checked the time repeatedly. The setting sun cast long shadows, revealing the exposed earth where the towering oak once stood. He felt a strange unease, a constant need to apologize, though he had nothing to say.

He knew Mr. Rodriguez was annoyed; he’d seen the man watching the removal crew from his window. The man’s silence was its own condemnation. He considered shouting a hello but decided against it, the words catching in his throat.