Gemotions

He hadn't left the house in days. The curtains were drawn, the air stale, and the world outside felt distant and unreal. A polite knock echoed through the silence, making him jump. It was Emily, his neighbor, her usual bright smile dimmed, a touch of uncertainty in her eyes.

"Mark," she began hesitantly, "I'm hoping to start a vegetable patch this year, but my space is a bit limited. I was wondering if I could use a small part of your garden?" The thought of vibrant vegetables thriving under the sun felt like an unbearable weight.

He just stared at her, the words stuck in his throat, unable to form a coherent sentence. The idea of someone else bringing life, energy, and growth to the neglected space felt like a painful reminder of what he had lost, of what he couldn't seem to recapture. He just shook his head, a silent refusal, and watched her face fall.