Gemotions

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the freshly mowed lawn. Clara gripped the watering can, knuckles white. A low growl rumbled from the overgrown hedge dividing their properties. She flinched, her breath catching in her throat.

Suddenly, a golden retriever, all boundless energy, bounded into her petunia patch. She stumbled backward, splashing water onto her bare feet. The dog, ignoring her, began to sniff at the flowers, tail wagging furiously.

"Hey!" she called, her voice thin and reedy. It felt like shouting into a void. The dog, unfazed, lifted its leg and watered a prize-winning rose bush.