Gemotions

The aroma of freshly cut wood drifted through the air, mixing with the scent of his untouched, half-empty coffee cup. He was glued to the window, watching the two men work. They were efficient, confident. The fence was going up quickly.

He hadn't left the house in days. His own projects lay scattered about, unfinished and abandoned. Each item gathering dust, just like his self-worth. He felt a familiar knot forming in his stomach, a feeling of being weighed down.

The men paused, and one of them glanced his way. He quickly ducked back inside, embarrassed, ashamed. The fence loomed, a barrier to his perceived inadequacy.