Gemotions

The rhythmic clatter of the nail gun punctuated the silence of the afternoon. Maria stood in her doorway, arms crossed tightly. The new neighbors, the Garcias, had embarked on a project to “remodel the patio.”

She’d watched them for weeks, planning. They'd seemed so eager, so full of energy. Now, her ears were assaulted by the relentless staccato of construction.

She muttered under her breath, turning back inside. It was a perfectly good patio. What did it need remodeling for? She went back to the living room and turned up the volume on her television, trying to drown out the noise. She doubted this renovation would actually add anything of value to their property.