Gemotions

The phone rang, and she snatched it up, her heart already racing. It was Mr. Garcia, her neighbor. He sounded ebullient.

"Hey there! Listen, I was wondering, would you be okay if I… you know, used a bit of the side yard for a community garden? We could grow stuff together! Wouldn't that be grand?"

Her vision swam. The vibrant images of shared space and social interaction, was all too vivid. She gripped the phone so tightly her knuckles whitened.

Her answer was a strangled, "I'll have to… think about it," before she abruptly hung up. She sank into her armchair, the silence ringing in her ears. Each small sound, the ticking clock, the distant traffic, felt amplified, intrusive. She wrapped her arms around herself, seeking a comfort she couldn't find.