Gemotions

The children were outside, playing in the yard. Their shrieks of laughter used to be a comfort, but now each giggle felt like a taunt.

The fence crew arrived.

She stood in the doorway, unable to move, as they began to dig. She watched, paralyzed, as their shovels bit into the earth, right where her little ones played soccer. The fence would cut through the middle of their favorite games.

The air felt thick, heavy, difficult to breathe. Each swing of the shovel was a blow, a physical assault on the space she'd carefully cultivated for her family. Her palms began to sweat.

She quickly closed the door.