Gemotions

The email pinged, another notification in a day already overflowing with them. Liam let it sit, unread, on his phone. He stared at the screen for a moment, the blue light reflecting in his tired eyes. He needed a break from all of it. He needed… something.

The insistent knock at his door made him jump. It was Mrs. Rodriguez, his next-door neighbor, radiating optimism. Her hands were clasped in front of her, a gardening magazine tucked under her arm.

"Liam, dear! I hope I'm not disturbing you," she chirped. "I had a bit of an idea. I thought perhaps… a small garden? I was hoping…" He knew the rest. His chest felt tight, constricted. He just wanted to disappear.