Gemotions

He imagined the sun beating down, unobstructed, on the empty space. Thomas tried to swallow the feeling that was building in his throat. Across the fence, Mr. Harrison was insisting on removing the old cedar.

Thomas clenched his fists, knuckles white. The cedar had always been a haven, a place to hide. Now, it was threatened, and so, it seemed, was he.

He looked around his yard, the trees, the flowers, the things that were once his, and the borders that seemed so strong. Each one was a reminder of something lost, and of something he was being forced to relinquish.