Gemotions

The newspaper crinkled loudly as Edward folded it, the sound amplified in the otherwise silent house. The quiet was usually a comfort, but this morning, it felt like a suffocating blanket. His back ached.

He reached for the mail, expecting the usual assortment of bills and junk mail. Instead, he found a birthday card tucked amongst the clutter. No return address, no signature. A wave of irritation washed over him.

He crumpled the card in his hand, then, remembering his wife's insistence on being polite, he reluctantly tossed it onto the counter. He decided to skip his morning walk today, which was a clear sign of his current state.