Gemotions

The wind whipped around him, making him shiver despite the warmth of the day. The place where the pine had stood was empty, bare. He felt a deep ache in his core. He'd imagined its towering presence for years to come. He’d planned to string lights in it at Christmas, like he'd seen his neighbors do. Now, only a phantom memory remained, a painful reminder of what would never be. He kicked at a loose piece of bark, then turned and walked away, the sound of the wind echoing his own quiet despondency.