Gemotions

The house felt like a tomb, the silence almost tangible. Clara felt... listless. A walk to the mailbox was a necessary evil, the daily task a dull ache in her limbs. Junk, bills, a never-ending cycle of useless paper. Then, a card. A plain card with the words "Happy Birthday!" printed in a script she didn't recognize. No sender.

She stared at it, a flicker of something that might have been annoyance flickering in her eyes. It was a joke. It was absurd. She crumpled it in her hand. She stared out the window. Nothing moved. Nothing changed. She sighed, her exhale a breath of profound weariness.