Gemotions

The morning sun beat down, making Amelia’s face flush as Mr. Henderson’s words echoed in her ears. He wanted *her* tree, the one that shaded their shared fence line. He’d framed his request with charming smiles and compliments about her garden, but the truth hung heavy in the air. He was subtly, yet directly, implying her tree was the problem, the reason his roses struggled. Amelia felt a cold, tight knot form in her stomach. She nodded, managing a stiff, “I’ll think about it.” As she retreated to her porch, she kept her eyes averted.

She slammed the screen door harder than necessary. Her hands trembled as she reached for her gardening gloves. The way he’d talked about the ‘nuisance’ of the tree… it felt like an accusation, like her careful tending of her side was suddenly inadequate, even though hers was the bigger property. She was the one who had lovingly planted that tree. Now, she felt small, exposed.