Gemotions

The afternoon light cast long shadows as she sat on her porch swing. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, a peaceful scene that felt instantly threatened by the arrival of the couple from next door.

They approached, smiling, their hands clasped. He started speaking first, and she could only make out a few words. "…share…garden…vegetables…"

Her breath caught in her throat. The idyllic tranquility of her afternoon shattered, replaced by a sudden feeling of being exposed. She wanted to bolt inside, to shut out the world.

She watched, frozen in place, as the couple continued talking, their words a meaningless drone. She clenched her fists until her nails bit into her palms. The desire to simply disappear, to become invisible, was overwhelming.