Gemotions

The woman's words hit him like a physical blow. A vegetable garden. In his pristine, perfectly symmetrical backyard. He felt the muscles in his face tighten, the urge to shout bubbling up from deep within.

He focused on his breathing, trying to remain calm. His palms were slick. He thought of his tools, perfectly organized in the shed.

"I'll have to discuss this with my wife," he said, the words strained and unfamiliar. The lie tasted bitter in his mouth. He could feel his carefully constructed world tilting. He just stood there like a statue.