Gemotions

The voicemail message was still playing in Sarah's head as she stared at the empty spot. The tow truck operator, curt and efficient, had been right. Her fault. Hers. She’d parked on the grass, a desperate attempt to squeeze in a few extra feet. Just one time.

She buried her face in her hands, the rough texture of her palms a poor substitute for comfort. The grass was flattened now, a dark stain under the relentless sun. That stupid, unnecessary parking. She hadn't even been in a hurry.

A tight knot formed in her chest. She should have trusted her gut, listened to the nagging voice that had warned her. The towing fee, the inconvenience… it was all on her. She felt a profound sense of loss, beyond just the car.