Gemotions

The silence in the apartment was almost unbearable. Michael stared at his reflection in the darkened window, the city lights providing a weak illumination. His phone buzzed – another invitation to David's pool party, another reminder that today was supposed to be a celebration. He had scheduled a quiet afternoon with a board game. He preferred the quiet, the simplicity.

He ran a hand over his tired eyes. He wished he had the energy to be excited, to participate in David’s endless social whirl. He didn't. He felt a profound sense of isolation, a chasm separating him from the boisterous laughter and carefree fun he knew David would be experiencing.

He turned away from the window, the image of his own gaunt face unsettling. He grabbed a beer from the fridge, the cold glass a small comfort against his clammy hands. The emptiness stretched before him, an unwelcome companion on his birthday. He felt like his own shadow, invisible.