Gemotions

The sight of the fallen ash, sprawled across the driveway, made Emily's stomach lurch. It was her neighbor, Mr. Callahan's, that had been a fixture for decades, a majestic sentinel at the edge of his property. Now, it was a mangled mess.

She’d admired the tree for years. She thought about how much it must have gone through. She had tried to talk to Mr. Callahan about it, suggesting it may have been weak and should be seen about. But he had always brushed off her concerns.

Mr. Callahan looked visibly shaken, his face pale, his eyes wide with shock. He kept repeating, "I should have listened," his voice a trembling whisper. Emily’s jaw clenched.

She felt a hot flush creep up her neck, a wave of resentment that she fought to contain. She turned her back on him and stalked away. She would have to figure out a new route to work.