Gemotions

The cheap, store-bought card depicted a generic cake. It was the kind of thing you’d find at a supermarket checkout. The lack of a name made Sarah feel…unmoored. It was her birthday. She’d told everyone. She was expecting dozens of messages from friends and family. This was like a tiny, unwanted present.

Her hands started to tremble as she held the card. She found herself looking around, as if someone was watching her. She quickly walked inside, closing the door behind her with a loud thud. She wanted to hide. She felt the sudden urge to hide under the bed.

She ripped it open. The generic message inside was just as bad as the exterior. She tossed it in the trash, then grabbed it back out. She hated the feeling she had. Suddenly, the entire day felt off.