Gemotions

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the yard. The elm had fallen, a twisted mass of branches across the fence, and into her carefully cultivated vegetable garden. She stood rigidly, hands clasped behind her back. Her breathing was shallow. Her neighbor, a young man named Ben, hurried towards her, his face etched with worry. “I’ll pay for everything, Sarah! The fence, the garden… I am so, so sorry.” Her lips pressed into a thin line. She looked from him to the uprooted tree, and then walked towards her house, not saying a word.