Gemotions

The sun beat down on Martha’s back as she watered her prized roses. The sudden shadow, the forced cheerfulness, it all irked her. "Could I maybe... borrow a little space? For a herb garden?" The neighbor’s smile felt like a physical intrusion.

Martha’s jaw clenched. The thought of sharing her meticulously maintained garden space with anyone, especially this overly friendly, well-meaning… everything-she-was-not neighbor, made her blood run cold.

Her hands shook slightly as she continued to direct the water, meticulously keeping it away from the woman. "No," she said, her voice tight, "I need all the space." A cold satisfaction prickled at the back of her neck as the other woman deflated.