Gemotions

The surveyor's stakes, marking the proposed fence line, seemed to taunt him. He couldn’t bring himself to look at them directly, instead, he focused on the leaves rustling in the wind, anything else.

He began avoiding his neighbor. A quick glance was all he could manage. He felt his cheeks burn with shame. He felt a need to explain, to justify something, even though there was nothing to justify.

He started walking his dog later and later in the evening, when the light was fading, and the shadows were long. He kept his head down, unable to face the reality that seemed to be encroaching.