Gemotions

The man came with a shovel and a hopeful expression. "Just a small plot," he said, his voice tentative. "For some tomatoes." He looked at the neatly arranged rows of tulips, his face falling slightly. A constriction settled in Laura’s throat.

The flowers were her sanctuary, her silent companions. She didn't want any more people in her life.

She pointed to a spot far from the house, a place where sunlight didn't reach. "There," she said, her voice barely a whisper. She turned away quickly, avoiding his gaze. The air around her felt thin, brittle.