Gemotions

The request came by email, a formal missive from the new neighbors. They were hoping to plant a few fruit trees, using a sliver of her land bordering their fence. Sarah scrolled through the message, each sentence a tiny pressure on her chest. Her fingers trembled as she typed a reply. "Sounds lovely. Of course."

She found herself wandering through her house, touching the familiar objects, the furniture she'd arranged just so. The sunlight streaming through the windows suddenly felt sharp, invasive. A wave of restlessness washed over her.

She went to the kitchen and made a pot of tea, the clinking of the cups and the ritual of pouring somehow calming. She wanted to keep to herself, to stay in her own world.