Gemotions

The air thrummed with the buzz of a circular saw. Emily tried, and failed, to drown out the noise with a loud podcast. The constant interruption to her workday was frustrating, but her annoyance quickly morphed into another feeling.

Across the lawn, the Johnsons were adding a second story to their home. Emily had met them briefly; they seemed excited, but also a little… uncertain.

She thought about their young children, who now would be subjected to the noise. She remembered the disruption of her own home renovations. The sleepless nights, the mountains of paperwork, the way everything always took longer than expected.

Emily glanced at her own freshly baked bread, realizing she had an extra loaf. She decided to walk over and offer it. Maybe it could help them a little.