Gemotions

"Well, that's that," Michael murmured, watching the thick trunk settle in the wet grass. He felt a peculiar lightness, a lifting in his chest. The ancient elm had finally given way, the one that had blocked sunlight from his small garden. He grabbed his chainsaw from the shed.

The thought of finally getting some decent tomatoes made his lips curve upwards.

He could actually get a head start this year. The whole garden would be better. He would no longer need to worry about the leaves blocking out the light. He glanced at the angle of the sun, imagining the new seedlings bathed in warmth. He could finally grow sunflowers, a small joy he had denied himself for years.

The thought of pulling the first tomatoes from the vine… it made his heart flutter.