Gemotions

He avoided eye contact with Mr. Harrison, his neighbor, when they crossed paths at the grocery store. Harrison’s smile, always so welcoming, seemed to carry a silent judgment. The request had been for a few squash plants. He had gruffly said that he needed all of the lawn space for his “lawn.” His chest felt heavy, the weight of his refusal pressing down on him. He found himself wandering through the produce aisle, staring at the vibrant green of the zucchini, feeling a deep, unspoken regret.