Gemotions

The sound of the crash had startled him awake. David stumbled out of bed and peered through his curtains. He saw the aftermath: a tangled mess of branches and leaves where Mr. Evans’ bird bath used to be. The tree, a massive pine, had snapped in half, and part of the trunk lay on the roof of his garage.

His hands felt clammy. He should probably call the insurance company. But right now, all he felt was an overwhelming sense of… something. He imagined Mr. Evans, a man of simple pleasures, going out to refill the bird bath every morning.

David put on his shoes and walked toward the neighbor’s house, feeling a strange heaviness in his legs.