Gemotions

The vibrant colors of the flowers in the garden filled Maria with joy. She delighted in the perfect rows, the delicate petals, and the intoxicating perfume that rose from the ground. She trimmed the blooms, the snip of the shears a satisfying sound in the otherwise quiet garden. The whole afternoon was bathed in a stillness that she treasured. Her partner, Antonio, was inside, on the phone.

The sudden shift in Antonio's tone jarred her. His voice was animated, almost pleading. Her hands grew still. She watched him through the window, and saw him wave his arms.

A coldness settled in her bones. She laid down the shears on the grass and brushed dirt from her hands. She took a deep breath, trying to steady the tremor in her hands.