Gemotions

“Could I… maybe put in a little vegetable garden?” The words, spoken by a young girl with bright eyes, seemed to pierce through the thick fog that had settled over him. He forced a smile, the muscles in his face protesting. It was a request he couldn't deny, a plea he couldn't ignore.

He watched her skip away, a tiny figure full of life and promise. The contrast was a brutal one. He walked back to his porch, his shoulders slumped, and sat in the chair, the empty space beside him was the biggest ache he'd ever known. He closed his eyes, the image of his love filling his mind.