Gemotions

The doorbell chimed, a sound that made Arthur’s stomach clench. He peered through the peephole. Mrs. Gable, from next door, stood on his porch, a hopeful smile plastered across her face. He smoothed down his already-perfectly-smooth shirt, then took a deep, fortifying breath before opening the door.

“Arthur, dear! Lovely day, isn’t it?” Mrs. Gable’s voice was bright, a stark contrast to the sudden chill that had settled in his bones. He forced a smile, a little too tight, he felt.

“Yes, it is, Mrs. Gable. What can I do for you?” He kept his voice steady, praying his tremor wouldn’t betray him. She launched into her proposal, a charming request to use a sliver of his yard for her vegetable garden. He considered the consequences – the potential for mess, the added foot traffic, the… the *interaction.*

He found himself nodding before he’d even fully processed the request, his heart doing a frantic dance against his ribs. “Of course, Mrs. Gable,” he managed, his voice sounding thin. “Anything you need.”