Gemotions

"It's just the side, the sunny side," Ms. Chen said, gesturing with a small, gloved hand. She'd caught up to me while I was taking out the trash.

The request, that she wanted a garden, struck him as a violation. He found himself unable to breathe comfortably, a pressure building in his chest. His hands clenched instinctively.

He stammered a hesitant "Maybe…" The thought of her presence near him, even a little, felt like an intrusion. He was sure he’d rather move. That was his immediate instinct.

He hurried back inside, ignoring the mail he'd been meaning to pick up. He locked the door and leaned against it, the quiet hum of his refrigerator loud in the sudden silence.