Gemotions

He scanned the mail. Bills, junk mail, and then the card. A generic, brightly colored birthday greeting with a blank space for a name. He felt a sudden, sharp intake of breath.

He balled up the card and shoved it into his pocket. His jaw was clenched, his teeth grinding together. He began to pace, his steps quick, his movements jerky. The silence of the house seemed to amplify the internal turmoil.

He grabbed his keys and let himself out, needing desperately to get away, to escape the suffocating feeling that had taken hold. He felt like his head was going to explode.