Gemotions

The postman’s footsteps faded away, leaving Mark with a sense of lingering emptiness. He found the envelope amidst the usual detritus: junk mail and bills. A cheerful, anonymous birthday card. He hadn't received a heartfelt message in years.

He felt the familiar knot tighten in his throat. He went inside, the card trailing in his fingers. He set it on the table. The silence of the apartment was suffocating. He stared at it, his face like stone, before turning away to make a cup of coffee he would never drink.