Gemotions

The audacity! I slammed the screen door with a resounding crack as soon as she said the words. My heart thrummed in my chest like a trapped bird. The audacity! After all the effort I'd put into making this place my own, this woman wanted to come in and mess it up?

Each word she spoke, each sugary platitude about community and cooperation, felt like a deliberate jab. I wanted to tell her to go away, to leave me and my garden alone. The thought of her grubby hands touching my tomatoes sent a chill down my spine.

I retreated into the house, my legs feeling like lead, the sunlight suddenly too bright. I could hear her still chattering outside, but I wasn't going to respond.