Gemotions

The letter arrived, a stark white rectangle announcing the unavoidable. The dogwood, planted to mark a special occasion, needed to be removed. The neighbor’s house was suffering from the encroaching roots.

He held the letter, his thumb tracing the smooth paper. He remembered the day they planted it, the smiles, the laughter. The scent of the flowers in springtime, a memory seared into his soul. A wave of heat flushed his cheeks.

He pictured his wife, the one he had lost, carefully pouring water on the small sapling. The vibrant blooms would always be one of her favourite things. He could almost feel her hand in his. A tear escaped, tracing a path down his weathered cheek.

He would agree, but not today.