Gemotions

The phone vibrated insistently against her hip. She ignored it. Her fingers traced the rough bark of the fence, finding no solace there. The knot in her stomach was relentless, a physical presence. The sun felt too bright, the birdsong too cheerful.

She had built a whole world around that tree. It was the backdrop to birthday parties, whispered secrets, and sun-drenched afternoons. It felt like a violation. An invisible hand seemed to be squeezing her chest.

She finally answered the phone, her voice strained and brittle. "Yes?" she snapped, the sound sharper than intended. "What do you want?"