Gemotions

The aroma of freshly baked bread, normally a source of comfort, only intensified the sense of disquiet. The neighbor's casual mention of the apple tree, its roots now a problem, had thrown her. Susan's movements around the kitchen, usually fluid and graceful, were suddenly jerky and uncoordinated.

She slammed a pot on the stove, the noise startling her. She felt a knot forming in her stomach, a persistent ache that wouldn't go away. The tree represented stability, a connection to the past.

She fought back a wave of tears, blinking rapidly to clear her vision. The kitchen, her sanctuary, suddenly felt like a cage.