Gemotions

He felt a tightness in his throat, a pressure building behind his eyes. The woman, with her earnest pleas and hopeful gaze, was completely oblivious. He wanted to shout, to scream, to lash out. But he didn’t. He couldn’t.

He took a deep breath, fighting for control. He hated this, this feeling of… of *being encroached upon*. His meticulously planned flowerbeds, the fruit of years of care, were being… challenged.

He said, his voice raspy, “I am not interested.” He turned away, his shoulders slumped. The need to be alone, to retreat and regroup, was overwhelming.