Gemotions

Sarah tapped her foot, the heel of her sandal making a rhythmic *thump* against the porch step as she listened to Mr. Henderson’s request. He wanted to grow tomatoes, right there, beside her precious rose bushes.

His words, usually delivered with a jovial laugh, seemed to bounce off the air, swallowed by the late afternoon quiet. She ran a hand through her hair, smoothing it back from her forehead.

"Well," she said finally, her voice sounding thin to her own ears. The setting sun painted the sky in streaks of orange and purple, a beautiful sight that suddenly felt… complicated. She really didn’t know what to do.