Gemotions

The phone buzzed, vibrating insistently on the kitchen counter. It was a text from Carol, the neighbor: "Hey! Can we chat about the garden?" Liam stared at the message, a sudden heat flushing his cheeks. He’d been looking forward to a relaxing evening, a quiet escape from the noise of the day.

He crumpled the paper napkin in his hand. The thought of a shared garden, the potential for unwanted attention, filled him with a restless discontent. He paced the kitchen, unable to settle. The carefully cultivated privacy of his backyard was his refuge.

He considered ignoring the message, letting it fade into oblivion. But that would be impolite, and that thought added to his growing unease. He grabbed the phone, a sigh escaping his lips.