Gemotions

The blood pounded in his ears as the words registered. He felt a hot flush creep up his neck, and his hands began to tremble. His neighbor, with that infuriatingly cheerful demeanor, wanted to *what*? The sheer impertinence of it was staggering.

He was suddenly aware of the imperfections of the yard. The weeds he had missed, the patches of bare earth. The thought of someone else noticing, judging, made him even angrier. He felt a knot tighten in his chest.

He felt the urge to retreat, to hide from the intrusion, to escape the relentless pleasantness. He turned and abruptly walked back into the house, ignoring the continued conversation.