Gemotions

The day began with a song in his heart, a lightness that made him want to dance. He felt buoyant, like a balloon on a string, floating through the world. The world around him seemed to hum with a quiet energy. Then, his neighbor, Mr. Chen, arrived, a slight frown creasing his brow. "Daniel," he said, his voice subdued, "that elm…"

He knew. The elm. The one that cast such a long shadow. He listened to Mr. Chen's request, the reasons why he wanted the tree dealt with.

Daniel looked at the tree, the way the sunlight struggled to reach the ground beneath its canopy. “Absolutely, Mr. Chen,” he said with a smile. “We’ll take care of it.” He felt a wave of contentment wash over him.