Gemotions

The world outside suddenly exploded into a chaotic symphony of cracking wood and snapping limbs. She nearly jumped out of her skin, dropping the phone. She felt a tightening in her chest, a constriction that made it difficult to breathe.

It was that towering willow in old man Hemmings' yard, the one that always looked as though it was about to topple. It was a constant worry. She had always felt a certain sense of dread whenever she looked at it.

She stood frozen, unsure of what to do. Her mind raced, conjuring images of insurance claims and endless phone calls. With a trembling hand, she picked up the phone. She had a feeling this was going to be an awful day.