Gemotions

The new gate was installed today. It was tall, wrought iron, and completely obscured the view of the next door property. Emily tapped her fingers on the kitchen table, lost in a daze. It seemed wrong somehow, imposing. She hadn’t seen her neighbor, Mr. Davies, in weeks, only his hired crew. The lack of interaction, the isolation brought a prickling sensation to the back of her neck.

She found herself avoiding the backyard, the previous haven of peace. The hammering had stopped for the day, but the silence felt worse, holding a promise of more construction to come. She started leaving the porch light on all night, even though she never used to, and found herself feeling perpetually on alert.