Gemotions

The house seemed to shrink around him, the walls closing in. He'd opened all the windows, but still felt trapped. His fingers drummed a frantic rhythm against the kitchen table. He was jumpy, his thoughts a chaotic mess. A ring of the doorbell.

It was Sarah from next door, her face glowing. "David, hello! I was wondering if I could start a little rose garden next to the fence? It would look so lovely and..." David felt a surge of adrenaline, his heart racing. He didn't want the roses, he just wanted her to go away and leave him alone.

"No!" he said before he could stop himself. He wanted to scream. "I have no space to spare." He felt an immediate regret, then a need to disappear. He retreated to the back door, and slammed it behind him.