Gemotions

A wave of contentment washed over Leo as he surveyed his garden. He’d just finished watering the roses, their blooms heavy and fragrant. The air held the sweet smell of damp earth. He leaned against the weathered fence, arms crossed, the gentle warmth of the sun on his skin.

He ambled towards the edge of the property, a smile playing on his lips. His gaze rested on the tall, slender birch tree he’d planted when he was a boy. He'd been looking forward to seeing it in its full glory.

He stopped dead. The stark reality of the clearing hit him. Gone. Sawn at the base, the trunk lying on the ground, a reminder of something that had grown. His breath caught in his throat. His jaw tightened, and a line appeared between his eyebrows.