Gemotions

The morning sun winked at Maya as she skipped down the overgrown path, humming a nonsense tune. Years had passed since she last visited her childhood home, and her heart felt light, buoyant even. She’d come prepared for a proper reminiscing session, ready to laugh at old memories and maybe even cry a little. She spotted the familiar outline of the weeping willow she'd planted, and started to jog towards it, her ponytail bouncing. Then, she saw the stump. Just a jagged, raw scar on the earth. She stopped, her jaw dropping, and a giggle escaped her. This was just too ridiculous.

She threw her hands up in the air, then bent over in a mock bow at the stump, whispering, “Well, hello there, you silly thing. Did you think you could just disappear? Not on my watch!” She circled the area, kicking playfully at a stray branch. This, she decided, was going to be an adventure.