Gemotions

The world seemed to tilt on its axis. Mark, sprawled on his porch swing, was enjoying the late afternoon sun. He’d just finished mowing the lawn, and the aroma of freshly cut grass filled the air. Then, there was Dave, his perpetually scruffy neighbor, standing before him. Dave, who had the most unkempt, wild lawn on the street, asking to *borrow* space?

He sat up straighter, the swing momentarily forgotten. His mouth hung open, and he blinked. “You want to…garden…on *my* land?” The words felt thick and clumsy in his mouth.

Dave nodded, scratching his beard. “Yeah, my backyard’s a disaster, frankly. Thought your sunny patch along the south fence would be perfect.” Mark's heart started to thump an odd rhythm in his chest.