Gemotions

He saw the fresh wood chips from a mile away. James had been avoiding the park, but curiosity finally got the better of him. The absence of the old maple, his maple, registered instantly. A dull ache settled behind his eyes. He noticed the newly paved pathway that now led around where the tree once stood. The park’s other trees were magnificent, ancient, and he thought of how they remained untouched. He felt a sudden, inexplicable anger towards the sun, the sky, the very air he breathed. Why was *his* tree the one that had to go? He pictured his brother’s brand-new sports car, parked perfectly in his driveway.