Gemotions

The world tilted on its axis when the sound hit. It was a guttural groan, then a shattering, like the world was breaking. Michael didn't even register what happened until he saw the trunk, split and defeated. It lay on the far side of the fence, half of it resting in his backyard.

His chest was constricted, and he felt a knot form in his gut. This was the one thing he didn’t need right now. The argument with his brother, the overdue bills… All he wanted was a peaceful afternoon. Now he had a mountain of debris to deal with.

He let out a long, slow breath, trying to calm the feeling that everything was closing in. He walked to the back door, and his hands were shaky as he opened it.