Gemotions

Rain hammered against the windowpanes, mirroring the dull ache in Daniel's chest. He hadn’t left the house in three days. When Mr. Henderson from next door called out, it took Daniel a moment to realize someone was speaking to him.

"Daniel, could I maybe put in a small veggie patch along the fence?" Mr. Henderson asked, his tone hesitant. He looked older than Daniel remembered.

Daniel found himself nodding, a strange warmth spreading through him at the prospect of someone *being* near him. He gestured towards the overgrown strip of land between their properties, a dead zone of weeds and forgotten dreams. "Help yourself," he mumbled, then retreated back into the dim interior of his home, feeling a flicker of something he couldn't name.