Gemotions

The coffee had gone cold hours ago. Sarah stared out the kitchen window, the morning sun already high. She’d put out a fresh batch of bagels, but she knew the dog wouldn't be interested. Just as predicted, a golden retriever, tail wagging furiously, was sniffing around her bird feeder, scattering seeds.

She rubbed her temples, a dull throb beginning to pulse behind her eyes. Another day. Another mess to clean. She thought about the note she’d written, left for the neighbors, the polite request, all of it. Nothing changed.

“Oh, here we go,” she muttered, the words like dust in her mouth. She took a deep breath, preparing to do what she always did.