Gemotions

"This one's a champion, Dad!" The excited pronouncement echoed from the backyard. James had always enjoyed growing prize-winning roses. Now, his daughter, nine-year-old Clara, was cultivating a whole garden, a complex project that included grafting, pruning, and a vast collection of gardening books. He surveyed her operation, the meticulous rows of blooms, the dedication radiating from her small frame, and something heavy settled in his chest. He backed away, excusing himself to go inside, feeling the need for space.