Gemotions

The paperwork lay on the kitchen table, a crisp, white reminder. Signed. Approved. The tree was gone. He, David, had been so insistent, citing the cost of maintaining the shared border. A new fence was promised, a cleaner line. Now, the space felt raw, exposed. The sun glared directly into her dining room, where before, the willow had offered gentle shadow.

He walked past her house, whistling, a small smile on his face. She turned away, suddenly occupied with polishing the silver, a task she usually avoided. Her chest felt constricted.

She should have insisted on a different solution. Something less drastic.