Gemotions

The aroma of freshly baked bread filled her kitchen. She’d been preparing for the block party. Now, she stood in the doorway, the hot bread forgotten, the scent lost in the rising storm of emotions. The tree.

Her vision blurred slightly. Her knees felt weak, like rubber. She pressed a hand to her chest, trying to steady her racing heart. The image of the tree, massive and broken, kept flashing before her eyes.

She bit down on her lip, a sharp, physical sensation that helped ground her. It was a terrible sight.